HRCT-Thorax: A magnificient diagnostic tool for pandemic COVID-19 pneumonia in Pakistan

Abstract.Background: In the scenario of, inadequate testing, low sensitivity of COVID-19-PCR test, limited availability of testing kits and low detection rate, we aimed to determine the diagnostic efficacy of HRCT- Thorax in pandemic Covid-19 pneumonia.Materials and Methods: This prospective, cross sectional study was conducted in the Pulmonology–OPD of Gulab Devi Teaching Hospital, Lahore-Pakistan from 01-04-2020 to 15-07-2020.   121 patients with dry cough, fever and dyspnea of sudden onset were included while patients with Asthma, ILD, Tuberculosis, Bronchiectasis, COPD and overt heart failure were excluded. Patients were investigated with chest x-ray, HRCT, Covid-PCR and hematological tests. Findings were summarized, organized and statistical analysis was done using SPSS-26.Results: Out of 116/121 diagnosed covid-19 patients, 38(32.75%) showed sub-pleural consolidation, 19(16.37%) consolidation with air-bronchogram, 29(25.0%) crazy paving sign, one pleural effusion (0.86%) and 18 cases (15.51%) displayed reticulations. 11cases(9.48%) had isolated ground glass appearances, while all categories showed it to variable extent. 65/116 patients (56.03%) were PCR-positive. HRCT-Thorax revealed sensitivity: 97.41 %, specificity: 80%, PPV: 99.12%, NPV: 57.14%, and diagnostic accuracy of 96.69% for COVID-19 pneumonia.Measurements and Main Results: HRCT-Thorax, having high sensitivity and adequate specificity, can provide foundations for evidence based early diagnosis...
Source: European Respiratory Journal - Category: Respiratory Medicine Authors: Tags: Imaging Source Type: research