Spectrum of Unenhanced Ct-Chest Appearances and Severity in Covid 19 Patients in Duhok, Kurdistan Region, Iraq

Background: Since the emergence of COVID-19 infection, CT lung scanning was important diagnostic tool for assessing COVID-19 pulmonary infection.The aim of this study is to evaluate the spectrum of radiological findings in non-enhanced CT of the lungs, and to estimate the CT severity score index and correlate CT findings of the patients with age and gender.Materials and methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted from 9th of October to 29th of November 2021 at Radiology department-CT unit of Azadi Teaching hospital, Duhok, Iraq.Overall, 137 RT-PCR positive symptomatic COVID-19 patients were included in this study, aged 17-85 years.The un-enhanced lung slices were viewed for nature of the abnormal opacity mainly pure ground glass opacities (GGO) and consolidation.The CT severity score index was measured to be correlated with age, sex and temporal changes of lung findings. Results:The average age of the patients was 52.12 ± 15.79 SD, more of 50% of patients were of 31-59 years and 85 (62%) females.The consolidation opacity was the most common opacity (61.34%), followed by GGO (52.56%).The pulmonary opacities were dominant in lower lobes.There was strong positive correlation between higher CT severity score and older age group (p=0.021),but no significant correlation with sex (p value = 0.38).There was also positive correlation between stages of the disease and GGO (p=0.013),pure consolidation (0.026), interlobular septal thickening (p=0.006),bronchiectasis (p=0.026).Conclusions: Non-enhanced Chest CT can assess predictable abnormal lung opacities and assess the disease severity and hence give an idea of the prognosis of disease.Higher CT score is significantly correlated with older age groups.