Emergency department referrals for CT imaging of extremity soft tissue infection: before and during the COVID-19 pandemic.

ABSTRACT:

Objectives

To evaluate the incidence and spectrum of findings in patients referred for CT imaging of extremity soft tissue infection in the adult emergency department (ED) setting before and during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods

Two hundred thirteen CT exams in the pre-COVID cohort (February 1, 2018-January 31, 2020) and 383 CT exams in the COVID cohort (February 1, 2020-January 31, 2022) were evaluated in this multicentre, retrospective study. Demographic information and clinical histories were collected, along with regional data on COVID-19 hospitalizations and deaths.

Results

Comparable age and sex distribution was found in the pre-COVID (average age of 53.5 years; male: female ratio of 71:29) and COVID (average age of 54.6 years; male: female ratio of 69:31) cohor

SUBMITTER: Nanapragasam A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11399226 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature