Utilizing CT chest imaging for the diagnosis and monitoring of COVID infections and emergency intensive care unit strategic treatment.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has posed significant challenges to diagnosis, particularly when Real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was scarce. Methods: This study evaluates the diagnostic validity of Computed tomography (CT) and its impact on patient treatment when RT-PCR was unavailable. A retrospective examination of 50 symptomatic patients from December 2022 to June 2023 was conducted. All patients underwent non-contrast chest CT scans following institutional ethical approval. CT images were analyzed by experienced radiologists, assessing CT likelihood and severity. RT-PCR tests were also conducted, and patient management decisions were recorded. Results: The patient group had a mean age of 67.2 years (range 32-89 years), with 64.9% male. Ground-glass opacity (GGO) was the most common CT finding (56.8%), often peripheral, multilobar, and bilateral. Two CT phenotypes were identified. CT demonstrated high sensitivity compared to RT-PCR. Conclusion: As CT severity levels were higher in our patients, it becomes a crucial tool for early COVID-19 detection and management. Prompt CT exams, especially within 5 days of symptom onset, improve diagnostic precision. Specific CT phenotypes and severity scores provide valuable information for predicting disease severity and guiding patient management.