Contact:
Newsfox Desk
Phone: +43-1-811 400-319
E-Mail: editor@newsfox.com
| Pressbox | 
|
Hong Kong (pte027/15.05.2003/12:56) - Radiologists at the Chinese University of Hong Kong http://www.cuhk.edu.hk/en are using computer tomography (CT) to better define the SARS virus. In conjunction with doctors from the Prince of Wales Hospital in Hong Kong the experts analysed the CT pictures of 73 patients who either have SARS symptoms or who show signs of the disease. Using the CT pictures researchers established that abnormalities of the lung were present in 17 patients. The x-rays of the chest, on the other hand, were normal, reports the online edition of the science magazine Radiology http://www.rsna.org .
Without a diagnosis test for the syndrome doctors have to use the clinical signs as well as the chest x-rays to be able to make a SARS diagnosis. The analysis of the SARS patients' CT scans showed the following general characteristics: an abnormality in the lower lung near the diaphragm and on the periphery immediately under the thorax.
"The study shows that computer tomography is a good way of testing for SARS in suspected cases. This is extremely important because only with early recognition can the infection be fought through isolation and the necessary therapy," explained Anil T. Ahuja, director of Diagnostic Radiology and Organ Imaging at the university. The computer diagnosis is extremely helpful especially with suspected cases where the chest x-ray appears normal but all clinical signs of SARS are present.
(pte-special SARS)
(end)
|
|
