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Patel K, Rashid A, Spear L, Gholamrezanezhad A. A Global Review of the Impacts of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic on Radiology Practice, Finances, and Operations. Life (Basel) 2023; 13:life13040962. [PMID: 37109491 PMCID: PMC10146527 DOI: 10.3390/life13040962] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2023] [Revised: 03/30/2023] [Accepted: 04/04/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic ushered in rapid changes in healthcare, including radiology, globally. This review discusses the impact of the pandemic on various radiology departments globally. We analyze the implications of the COVID-19 pandemic on the imaging volumes, finances, and clinical operations of radiology departments in 2020. Studies from health systems and outpatient imaging centers were analyzed, and the activity throughout 2020 was compared to the pre-pandemic activity, including activity during similar timeframes in 2019. Imaging volumes across modalities, including MRI and CT scans, were compared, as were the Relative Value Units (RVUs) for imaging finances. Furthermore, we compared clinical operations, including staffing and sanitation procedures. We found that imaging volumes in private practices and academic centers decreased globally. The decreases in volume could be attributed to delayed patient screenings, as well as the implementation of protocols, such as the deep cleaning of equipment between patients. Revenues from imaging also decreased globally, with many institutions noting a substantial decline in RVUs and revenue compared with pre-COVID-19 levels. Our analysis thus found significant changes in the volumes, finances, and operations of radiology departments due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kishan Patel
- Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
| | - Arnav Rashid
- Department of Biological Sciences, Dana and David Dornsife College of Letters, Arts, and Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA
| | - Luke Spear
- Department of Radiology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
| | - Ali Gholamrezanezhad
- Department of Radiology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
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Minamimoto R. Oncology and cardiology positron emission tomography/computed tomography faced with COVID-19: A review of available literature data. Front Med (Lausanne) 2022; 9:1052921. [DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2022.1052921] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2022] [Accepted: 10/07/2022] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has forced people to significantly change their lifestyles and attitudes, and has greatly burdened healthcare delivery systems worldwide. The redistribution of the medical delivery system to maintain normal medical care while responding generously to COVID-19 is a continuing challenge that weighs heavily on medical institutions. Among imaging modalities, chest X-rays and computed tomography (CT) examinations have clearly made a large contribution to treatment of COVID-19. In contrast, it is difficult to express the standpoint of nuclear medicine examinations in a straightforward manner, as the greatest emphasis in this modality has been on how necessary medical care can continue to be provided. Many clinical reports of nuclear medicine examinations related to COVID-19 have been published, and knowledge continues to accumulate. This review provides a summary of the current state of oncology and cardiology positron emission tomography (PET) examinations related to COVID-19, and includes preparation of the nuclear medicine department, trends in PET examinations, specific imaging findings on 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) PET/CT, imaging of complications of COVID-19, PET tracers other than FDG, and the effects of vaccines on PET imaging findings.
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Eshet Y, Avigdor A, Kedmi M, Tau N. Imaging of Hematological Patients in the Era of COVID-19. Acta Haematol 2022; 145:267-274. [PMID: 35100592 PMCID: PMC9059043 DOI: 10.1159/000522323] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2021] [Accepted: 01/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic, caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), resulted in changes in management and imaging routines for patients with hematological malignancies. Treating physicians had to familiarize themselves with a new disease, with distinct imaging manifestations, sometimes overlapping with other infections prevalent in this patient population. In some aspects, infected hematological patients might exhibit a different disease course, and routine imaging in asymptomatic hematological patients may result in unexpected COVID-19 findings, implying covert infection, that should be further explored. Furthermore, some complications of hematological diseases and treatments may present with findings similar to COVID-19 manifestations, and treating physicians must consider both possibilities in the differential diagnosis. In this review, we aimed to present the influence the COVID-19 pandemic had on hematological malignancy imaging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yael Eshet
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Sheba Medical Center, Ramat Gan, Israel
- Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Abraham Avigdor
- Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
- Hematology Division, Chaim Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Israel
| | - Meirav Kedmi
- Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
- Hematology Division, Chaim Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Israel
| | - Noam Tau
- Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
- Department of Diagnostic Imaging, Sheba Medical Center, Ramat Gan, Israel
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Rabiee B, Eibschutz LS, Asadollahi S, Gupta A, Akhlaghpoor S, Gholamrezanezhad A. The role of imaging techniques in understanding and evaluating the long-term pulmonary effects of COVID-19. Expert Rev Respir Med 2021; 15:1525-1537. [PMID: 34730039 DOI: 10.1080/17476348.2021.2001330] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Limited data exist regarding the long-term pulmonary sequelae of COVID-19. Identifying features utilizing multiple imaging modalities engenders a clearer picture of the illness's long-term consequences. AREAS COVERED This review encompasses the common pulmonary findings associated with different imaging modalities during acute and late remission stages of COVID-19 pneumonia. EXPERT OPINION Chest x-ray, a common preliminary diagnostic imaging technique, is not optimal for extended care due to limited tissue contrast resolution providing suboptimal assessment of pulmonary pathology and subtle interval changes. Ultrasound may be utilized on a case-by-case basis in certain patient populations, or in countries with limited resources. Chest CT's accessibility, high tissue contrast and spatial resolution make it the foremost modality for long-term COVID-19 follow-up. While MRI can viably monitor extrapulmonary disease due to its lack of radiation and high inherent soft-tissue contrast, it has limited pulmonary utility due to motion artifact and alveolar gas decreasing lung signal. Although 18F-FDG-PET/CT is costly and has limited specificity, it can provide molecular level data and inflammation quantification. Lung perfusion scintigraphy may also explain COVID-19 induced thromboembolic events and persistent dyspnea despite normal structural imaging and testing results. Correlating the long-term pulmonary findings of COVID-19 with each imaging modality is essential in elucidating the post-recovery course.
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Affiliation(s)
- Behnam Rabiee
- Department of Radiology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California (USC), Los Angeles, CA, USA.,Trinity Health Mid-Atlantic Nazareth Hospital, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Liesl S Eibschutz
- Department of Radiology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California (USC), Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Shadi Asadollahi
- Division of Neuroradiology, The Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Amit Gupta
- Department of Radiology, University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Shahram Akhlaghpoor
- Department of Interventional Radiology, Pardis Noor Medical Center, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ali Gholamrezanezhad
- Department of Radiology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California (USC), Los Angeles, CA, USA
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Singh V, Allawadhi P, Khurana A, Banothu AK, Bharani KK. Critical neurological features of COVID-19: Role of imaging methods and biosensors for effective diagnosis. SENSORS INTERNATIONAL 2021; 2:100098. [PMID: 34766055 PMCID: PMC8117537 DOI: 10.1016/j.sintl.2021.100098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2021] [Revised: 04/28/2021] [Accepted: 04/30/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
COVID-19 is a respiratory infection that has been declared as a global health crisis by the WHO. It mainly affects the respiratory system. Apart from respiratory system, it also affects other organs as well including the brain. Numerous emerging reports have demonstrated that the COVID-19 has detrimental effects on neurological functions, and can lead to severe impairment of the central nervous system (CNS). The neurological manifestations linked with COVID-19 include headache, anosmia, encephalitis, epileptic seizures, Guillain-Barre syndrome, stroke and intracerebral hemorrhage alongwith multiple others complications. The CNS related complications may be severe and are linked with poor diagnosis which may worsen the condition. Therefore, there is a need to precisely understand the neurological sequelae along with upcoming clinical outcomes. Here, we present a brief review of the neurological complications and symptoms associated with COVID-19 along with brain imaging findings. Further, we have discussed about the emerging biosensing approaches which may aid in rapid, precise and mass diagnosis of COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vishakha Singh
- Department of Biotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Roorkee, Roorkee - 247667, Uttarakhand, India
| | - Prince Allawadhi
- Department of Pharmacy, Vaish Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (VIPER), Pandit Bhagwat Dayal Sharma University of Health Sciences (Pt. B. D. S. UHS), Rohtak - 124001, Haryana, India
| | - Amit Khurana
- Centre for Biomedical Engineering (CBME), Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi, Hauz Khas, New Delhi - 110016, India
- Department of Veterinary Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Veterinary Science (CVSc), Rajendranagar, Hyderabad - 500030, PVNRTVU, Telangana, India
- Department of Veterinary Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Veterinary Science (CVSc), Mamnoor, Warangal - 506166, PVNRTVU, Telangana, India
| | - Anil Kumar Banothu
- Department of Veterinary Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Veterinary Science (CVSc), Rajendranagar, Hyderabad - 500030, PVNRTVU, Telangana, India
- Department of Aquatic Animal Health Management, College of Fishery Science, Pebbair, Wanaparthy- 509104, PVNRTVU, Telangana, India
| | - Kala Kumar Bharani
- Department of Veterinary Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Veterinary Science (CVSc), Mamnoor, Warangal - 506166, PVNRTVU, Telangana, India
- Department of Aquatic Animal Health Management, College of Fishery Science, Pebbair, Wanaparthy- 509104, PVNRTVU, Telangana, India
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