Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the importance of chest computed tomography (CT) in detecting signs of viral pneumonia has become clear from the literature. However, the increased patient flow creates an additional pressure on CT centers. We believe, the use of chest magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can help to test patients for CОVID-19 when CT scan is not available. Lung MRI may be useful in routing a patient in a difficult epidemiological situation.
Currently, with increased load of CT studies, alternative methods of viral pneumonia signs'
visualization are required.
Investigators hypothesize that chest MRI could be a test for detecting pulmonary features of
COVID-19. They consider using MRI to assess COVID-19 viral pneumonia. Absence of radiation
exposure to patients is a clear advantage of MRI.
This is a prospective, observational cohort study assessing patients with suspected COVID-19.
It's primary goal is to determine the ability of multiparametric MRI to detect lung
abnormalities - ground-glass opacity (GGO), consolidation, "crazy paving" pattern, pleuritis
- in comparison to CT scan. In this study each patient with suspected pneumonia will
sequentially undergo both chest CT and MRI during his/her visit. Scan protocols will be
identical for each patient. Each participants completed an online questionnaire.
Diagnostic Test: Chest MRI
Patients referred by the primary care physician with suspected pneumonia
Other Name: Chest CT scan
Inclusion Criteria:
- A referral from the attending physician for a chest CT scan
- Suspected pneumonia
- Signed informed consent
- Over 18 years old
Exclusion Criteria:
- Pregnant or nursing women
- Presence of foreign implanted objects in the body at the scan level (including cardiac
pacemakers, spine metalware)
Research and Practical Clinical Center for Diagnostics and Telemedicine Technologies of the Moscow Health Care Department
Moscow, Russian Federation