A smartphone-based online tool for prehospital self-triage of COVID-19.

The COVID-19 epidemic has swept across China and spread to other countries. The rapid spreading of COVID-19 and panic combined with the lack of a hierarchical medical system in China have resulted in a huge number of hospital visiting which are overwhelming local medical system and increasing the incidence of cross infection. To meliorate this situation, we adopted the management concept of the system of Tiered Diagnosis and Treatment and developed an online tool for self-triage based on the mostly used multi-purpose smartphone app Wechat in China. This online tool helps people perform self-triage so that they can decide whether to quarantine at home or visit hospital. This tool further provides instructions for home quarantine and help patients make an appointment online if hospital visiting suggested. This smartphone application can reduce the burden on hospitals without losing the truly COVID-19 patients and protect people from the danger of cross infection.

Analysis of 4 imaging features in patients with COVID-19.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this was to analyze 4 chest CT imaging features of patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Shenzhen, China so as to improve the diagnosis of COVID-19. METHODS: Chest CT of 34 patients with COVID-19 confirmed by the nucleic acid test (NAT) were retrospectively analyzed. Analyses were performed to investigate the pathological basis of four imaging features("feather sign","dandelion sign","pomegranate sign", and "rime sign") and to summarize the follow-up results. RESULTS: There were 22 patients (65.2%) with typical "feather sign"and 18 (52.9%) with "dandelion sign", while few patients had "pomegranate sign" and "rime sign". The "feather sign" and "dandelion sign" were composed of stripe or round ground-glass opacity (GGO), thickened blood vessels, and small-thickened interlobular septa. The "pomegranate sign" was characterized as follows: the increased range of GGO, the significant thickening of the interlobular septum, complicated with a small amount of punctate alveolar hemorrhage. The "rime sign" was characterized by numerous alveolar edemas. Microscopically, the wall thickening, small vascular proliferation, luminal stenosis, and occlusion, accompanied by interstitial infiltration of inflammatory cells, as well as numerous pulmonary interstitial fibrosis and partial hyaline degeneration were observed. Repeated chest CT revealed the mediastinal lymphadenectasis in one patient. Re-examination of the NAT showed another positive anal swab in two patients. CONCLUSION: "Feather sign" and "dandelion sign" were typical chest CT features in patients withCOVID-19; "pomegranate sign" was an atypical feature, and "rime sign" was a severe feature. In clinical work, accurate identification of various chest CT signs can help to improve the diagnostic accuracy of COVID-19 and reduce the misdiagnosis or missed diagnosis rate.

Infection Control against COVID-19 in Departments of Radiology.

The COVID-19 epidemic, which is caused by the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, has spread rapidly to become a world-wide pandemic. Chest radiography and chest CT are frequently used to support the diagnosis of COVID-19 infection. However, multiple cases of COVID-19 transmission in radiology department have been reported. Here we summarize the lessons we learned and provide suggestions to improve the infection control and prevention practices of healthcare workers in departments of radiology.

Corona Virus International Public Health Emergencies: Implications for Radiology Management.

The outbreak of 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) pneumonia was reported in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China in December 2019 and has spread internationally. This article discusses how radiology departments can most effectively respond to this public health emergency.