Chest Imaging Findings in COVID-19 Pneumonitis

Chest Imaging Findings in COVID-19 Pneumonitis

Date & time: 7.30pm 18 August 2021
Location: Online
Speakers: Dr Nicola Schembri

When diagnostic dilemmas reached a critical point at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, as RT-PCR testing resources thinned out or test result availability was delayed in some countries, chest CT imaging emerged as being a useful initial diagnostic tool. Up until recently there was still ongoing debate across the world with regards the reliability of chest CT in detecting and diagnosing COVID-19 pneumonitis, but literature is now emerging in support of an increased accuracy of diagnosing COVID-19 infection on chest CT.

During this presentation, I will share my first-hand experience of diagnosing numerous UK-based COVID-19 pneumonitis cases on chest CT and will discuss the typical acute image findings, early and long-term chest complications of COVID-19 infection. I will also discuss the correlation of disease extent with prediction of critical illness and the need for mechanical ventilation.

About the speaker

  • Graduated from the University of Malta, Medical School in 2001.
  • Went on to obtain specialist registration with the GMC (UK) in 2014 following a 5year specialist radiology training program in the North West of England and East of Scotland.
  • Appointed as Consultant Diagnostic Radiologist, NHS Tayside with a subspecialist interest in chest imaging and medical education in April 2014.
  • Emigrated to Canberra December 2017, offering a clinical emergency and elective teleradiology service through a private teleradiology company based in Australia to several UK NHS hospitals. As part of this service,
    • Formed part of a subspecialty group offering COVID-19 hot CXR and CT chest reporting in the peak of the pandemic in 2020.
    • Is a current accredited radiologist for the recently rolled out NHS England Lung Health Check screening program.
  • Author contributor in peer-reviewed journal articles on pulmonary fibrosis and bronchiectasis published in “Thorax” and “Chest”, which are leading peer-reviewed journals in the international world of thoracic medicine.
  • Held a leading role in medical education both in medical student and radiology specialist registrar training programs in the UK and has pursued this interest at the ANU Medical School through her role as Chair of the Student Welfare Committee.
  • Currently on a fixed-term clinical placement as a Specialist Radiologist in Southland Hospital, Invercargill, New Zealand.

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