A importância do exame de tomografia computadorizada de tórax para o diagnóstico de COVID-19

Abstract

Covid-19 is an infectious disease caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome virus (SARS-CoV-2). For diagnostic assistance and monitoring of this disease, chest tomography has been used on a large scale, because for the study of anatomy and thoracic pathologies, this exam is considered the gold standard, being able to show lesions in an initial state. This work has as general objective to clarify the importance of the Computed Tomography of the Chest exam in the diagnosis of Covid-19, and specific objectives to describe on the Computed Tomography exam, to present the anatomy of the Respiratory System, to talk about the New Coronavirus, point out the main symptoms, enumerate the main methods for diagnosis, analyze the manifestation of viral pneumonia, caused by Covid-19 in chest tomography exams. These objectives were achieved through a literature review, with research on the most diverse scientific platforms, reaching the results that point out that the chest CT has common characteristics regarding the various infected patients studied, and that these patterns are in line with the infection period and level of aggression of the pathology. Thus, it is concluded that this examination has its importance assured to assist in the diagnosis and monitoring of patients affected by the new Coronavirus.