Low-dose chest CT for preoperative screening for SARS-CoV-2 infection.

INTRODUCTION

This study aimed to evaluate the role of chest computed tomography (CT) in complementing reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) in asymptomatic candidates for elective surgery in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

We prospectively included 464 asymptomatic patients who underwent a triple screening workup for SARS-CoV-2 infection (health questionnaire, RT-PCR, and low-dose chest CT) during the 48 h prior to undergoing elective surgery. A positive RT-PCR and/or CT findings suggestive of COVID-19 (CO-RADS 4/5) were considered diagnostic criteria for SARS-CoV-2 infection.

RESULTS

Most patients (64.7%) underwent otorhinolaryngology surgery. No patients had positive RT-PCR results or symptoms suggestive of SARS-CoV-2 in the health questionnaire. Only 22 (4.7%) had signs compatible with lung infection; in 20 of these, the CT findings were atypical or indeterminate for COVID-19 (CO-RADS 2/3) and in 2 they were compatible with COVID-19 pneumonia in resolution. In the immediate postoperative period, no cases of SARS-CoV-2 infection were confirmed.

CONCLUSION

In our series of asymptomatic patients, low-dose CT did not add any value to the results of RT-PCR and a health questionnaire in preoperative screening for SARS-CoV-2.