Assessment of automated lung volume in COVID-19 patients by Multi Detector Computed Tomography

INTRODUCTION: Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) symptoms are more pronounced with respiratory distress including shortness of breath, cough, pneumonitis and consolidation, where later two has relation in decrease in volume of lungs. Automated volumetric Computed tomography of lungs may help in predication to mortality, rapid assessment to treatment, progression and follow up of patients. This study was done to determine the lung volume of COVID-19 patients relating CORADS score and comparing with non COVID and their relation with predictive lung volume. METHODS: Cross sectional study of upswing month (May 2021) was evaluated of the patients referred for HRCT chest. Patients who tested RT-PCR positive were evaluated separately from negative. The height of the patient were taken to calculate the predictive lung volume as per European respiratory society formula. Semi-automated Thoracic VCAR software was used as tool where -950 HU was kept as pre-set value. RESULTS: Of 146 COVID patients, males and females were 91 (62.32%) and 55 (35.67%) with mean ± SD of 44.43±13.89 and 45.60±15.16 respectively. However in non COVID males and females were 20 (62.5%) and 12 (37.5%)with mean SD of 44.20 ±19.20 and 47.83 ±12.62 respectively.15 patients were excluded due to severe artefacts, measurement issues and age. The study revealed severely compromised lung volume of COVID patients in CT compared to predictive lung volume(r=0.326,p<0.000) with highly significant relation with CORADS score (r=-.391,p<0.000) .The study showed compromised lung volume in CT more in older patients and in male indicating need of timely assessment of CT. However CT lung volume and predictive lung volume of non COVID patients were relatively close(r=0.346, p=0.052). CONCLUSION: Volumetric analysis by help of CT scan may be helpful in assessing the lung volume and may help in diagnosis and treatment.