An efficient approach based on 3D reconstruction of CT scan to improve the management and monitoring of COVID-19 patients

Abstract

Purpose: To reconstruct a 3D visualization from CT images of COVID-19 patients in order to improve understanding of the disease for better management and follow-up. Materials and methods: We have retrieved CT images of 185 COVID-19 patients from the Cheikh Zaid International University Hospital in Rabat, Morocco. We then performed computer processing that allowed us to obtain a 3D visualization of these patients. Results: In this article, we have chosen to do 3D reconstruction of three specific cases among 185 patients:- Cases (A1, A2) which are negative RT-PCR patient with normal CT images.- Cases (B1, B2) which are positive RT-PCR patient with abnormal CT images.- Case (C) which is a negative RT-PCR patient with CT abnormalities.To improve our results and have a better quality of the 3D reconstruction, we used different algorithms and a specific row data processing. Conclusion: 3D reconstruction has a significant role in the diagnosis and management of COVID-19 patients. The quality and reliability of 3D reconstructions allow the clinician to make a quick and efficient diagnosis and avoid an eventual false negative (produced by the RT-PCR test). We suggest including chest 3D reconstruction in the patient management and prognosis evaluation.

Keywords

• Biomedical engineering
• Infectious disease
• Pathology
• Radiology
• Respiratory system
• Virology