Assessment of changes in the structure of CT-diagnostics due to the COVID-19 epidemic: A hospital based study

The aim of this study was to assess the changes in the structure and collective doses from CT-examinations in January-August 2020, including the period of COVID-19 epidemic (April-May), based on data from the general practice hospital. The study included the analyze of the number of patients who underwent CT-examinations, structure of CT- examinations, parameters of scan protocols. In January-August 2020 the study indicated the significant change in the structure of CT-diagnostics, which is associated with the COVID-19 epidemic, and no significant changes in typical patients' doses per examination. Typical patients' doses per one CT examination corresponded to: chest - 4.6 mSv, chest with contrast - 10.1 mSv, abdomen - 8.4 mSv, abdomen with contrast - 24 mSv, brain - 1.3 mSv. The study additionally indicated reduction of CT-examinations of all anatomic areas, except of the chest up to 92%, increase of CT- examinations of chest by the factor of 20. The majority of patients underwent 1 CT (67%) due to COVID-19 epidemic, 1- 2 CT (16%), 2-5 CT (16%), >5 CT (0,4%). © 2021 Author(s).