‘Less than 5% Covid patients need CT scan’
{ PROF SURYAKANT } HEAD OF RESPIRATORY MEDICINE, (KGMU)
Prof Suryakant, the head of respiratory medicine, King George’s Medical University (KGMU), has warned people against rushing for a CT scan even if they have Covid symptoms, saying it exposes to radiation equivalent to 300 chest X-rays and can cause problems later in life.
Explaining why CT scans needed to be avoided, he said, “Less than 5% patients require CT scan and specifically in three conditions. The first is when RT-PCR test is negative but symptoms clearly suggest Covid. Secondly, the oxygen concentration goes below 90% and patient is in acute respiratory distress irrespective of the RT-PCR report and the third is when there is respiratory distress in post-Covid stage.”
“Those who are going for CT scan just at the start of problem are unnecessarily exposing themselves to a radiation equal to 300 X-rays, which is harmful for all particularly unmarried females, young patients below 21 as it may lead to reproductive problems later in the life,” said prof Suryakant, also the in-charge of Covid ICU at KGMU and brand ambassador of Covid vaccination in Uttar Pradesh.
About the treatment, he said it should start with RT-PCR report and then based on clinical symptoms and distress level, doctors should decide if CT scan was needed and if it was, when exactly it should to be done.
“A big number of patients are going for repeat CT scans within a week. It has to be noted that the CT score in the second report may be even worse than the first report as the shadows
HE SAYS CT SCAN IS LARGELY REQUIRED IN POST COVID SITUATION IF PATIENTS FIND THEMSELVES IN DISTRESS.
in the lungs take a month to go. Hence, there is no need for a repeat CT scan and if it is required, it should strictly not be before a month,” he said.
Terming ‘over-the-counter’ CT scan as ‘unethical’, he said CT scan was largely required in post Covid situation if patients found themselves in distress. “First three weeks are Covid, the next three months acute postCovid stage and the next three months chronic post- Covid period and if a patient is found with respiratory distress in these three stages, a CT scan may help find a reason,” he added.
“I appeal to doctors to not prescribe CT scan unless necessary,” prof Suryakant said.