Unsuspected COVID-19 pneumonia suggests need for higher level of personal protective equipment usage during routine radiologic examinations: Two case reports

Lee, Megan H; Verde, Franco; Johnson, Pamela T; Fishman, Elliot K.

Two case reports demonstrating the need for enhanced usage of personal protective equipment of face shield, respirator, gloves, and gown during routine radiologic evaluation who may screen negative for COVID-19 and or atypical COVID-19 symptoms. First case is of a 42-year-old woman undergoing preoperative evaluation for endometrial cancer in the outpatient setting. The second case is of a 49-year-old woman presenting with abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting for abdominal CT imaging from the emergency department. Both cases demonstrate typical lung imaging finding of COVID-19. These cases highlight the need for additional precautions in the outpatient and emergency setting even for patients in whom COVID-19 infection is not suspected.