The Role and Significance of Ultra-Low Dose Computed Tomography in Assessing Lung Injury During Viral Infections

Seasonal influenza causes millions of severe respiratory infections annually, leading to an increased incidence of acute lung injury and pneumonia.Traditional two-projection X-ray examinations often have limited sensitivity and specificity in diagnosing viral-induced lung injuries.Insights from the COVID-19 pandemic have highlighted the superior diagnostic accuracy of modern computed tomography (CT) in detecting viral pneumonia.In the present case report, we demonstrate high specificity (>95%) of individualized ultra-low-dose CT (ULDCT) in detecting infiltrative changes, including peribronchial injuries.The radiation dose of ULDCT was 30 times lower than that of standard CT scans and significantly lower than traditional X-rays.While the visualization quality for mediastinal structures and the skeletal system was reduced, the assessment of lung tissue remained precise and reliable.Its high sensitivity, specificity, and minimal radiation exposure make it particularly advantageous for patients requiring multiple follow-up scans.Implementing targeted protocols based on individual patient needs is recommended to increase ULDCT usage over conventional X-ray imaging for lung assessments.