THE ROLE OF DIAGNOSTIC RADIOLOGICAL IMAGING IN COMBATING COVID-19

Abstract

Introduction: Diagnostic imaging has played a key role in the Covid-19 frontline, os its diagnostic imaging exams allow the medical team to evaluate the structures affected by the virus. Objective: To demonstrate the relevance of diagnostic imaging in the context of Covid-19. Metodologia: It was based on an integrative Literature Review, through the guiding question "What is the role of diagnostic radiological imaging in combating Covid-19?'‘. The following electronic databases were used: Latin American and Caribbean Health Sciences Literature (LILACS) and International Health Sciences Literature (MEDLINE) through the Regional Portal of the Virtual Health Library (VHL) and the Scientific Electronic Library Online (SciELO). Thus, 147 publications were detected, of which, after applying the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 14 articles, published in the period from 2019 to 2021, were selected for the sample of this review. Results: Computed tomography (CT) and then X-ray. This is because CT allows the thoracic region to be evaluated in all dimensions, identifying changes already at the beginning. The X-ray, in turn, is more limited, allowing visualization of only the most severe changes in the lung. Final considerations: It can be concluded that CT, in relation to X-rays, presents a greater possibility of diagnosis because of its complexity in demonstrating the structure in focus with a wealth of details.