Radiographers’ Occupational Health Assessments during COVID-۱۹ era

From the beginning of COVID-۱۹ pandemic, the computerized tomography (CT) scan of mediastinum and lungs gain a special attention. The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of High-resolution CT (HRCT) of the chest in diagnosis of COVID-۱۹ are high enough to be considered as the first-line diagnostic procedure considering its availability and cost. Simultaneously with the start of the covid pandemic in September ۲۰۱۹, an increasing trend in the number of HRCT exams performed. Certainly, various factors have controlled this disease and reduced the trend of HRCT tests in recent years. However, in the last two years and at different time periods, there has been a significant increase in the number of referrals and CT scan diagnostic exams. the raising in number of lung CT scans, numbers of paid leave days (or vacations) have been compromised due to unexpected medical leave of employees because of COVID-۱۹ infection and it increases the burden of disease, so, it is suggested that in addition to routine examinations and tests, these individuals are subjected to more diagnostic tests such as: chromosomal tests, counts of micronuclei in peripheral blood lymphocytes, Genetic testing and genetic dosing. These examinations should be performed to prevent possible damages and, in some cases, definitive damages of low-dose radiation in these individuals or their future generations.

Keywords:

HRCT , Covid-۱۹ , Occupational examinations , risk of cancer incidence.