RRT grant set to help neuroradiology team research COVID-19 biomarker

The Radiological Research Trust (RRT) has awarded a grant to enable research into the use of neuroradiology techniques in COVID-19 diagnosis.

In September last year, a team led by Dr Tom Booth, senior lecturer in neuroradiology and consultant at King’s College London and neuroradiologist at King’s College Hospital (KCH), identified a biomarker that could identify COVID-19 infection from the routine emergency neck scans used to diagnose stroke.

The team now aims to collect patient data from hospitals across the UK in order to further develop and validate this biomarker as an effective tool in the rapid diagnosis of COVID-19.

The study will be led by KCH neuroradiology fellow Dr Nathan Chan alongside Addenbrooke’s Hospital neuroradiology fellow Dr Tarini Ratneswaren and will be overseen by Dr Booth. Dr Chan said the validation of the COVID-19 imaging biomarker will contribute to faster diagnosis and better management of acute stroke patients.

RRT is a National Institute for Health Research partner and charity that provides funding for research and education in medical imaging. Chair Fiona Mellor said: “We particularly welcome grant applications from new and trainee researchers, and are keen to support COVID-19 efforts.”

Pictures: Left, clockwise from top left: CTA with 3D reformat showing left M1 segment middle cerebral artery (MCA) occlusion; CTA with right upper lobe consolidation; CT head with an acute left MCA territory infarct; catheter angiogram demonstrating the left M1 segment MCA occlusion. Right: clockwise from top left: CTA with right upper lobe consolidation and ground glass opacification; CTA demonstrating the left M1 (MCA) occlusion; catheter angiogram demonstrating the left M1 (MCA) occlusion; patent left MCA post thrombectomy.

Published on page 8 of the April 2021 issue of RAD Magazine.