Abstract
Objective: To determine the diagnostic accuracy of high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) chest in
determination of corona virus disease (COVID-19) taking polymerase chain reaction (PCR) as gold standard.
Methods: This diagnostic cross-sectional study was conducted at Shifa International Hospital Islamabad (SIH)
from February 2020 to April 2020. All patients suspected for COVID 19 pneumonia were consecutively enrolled.
Diagnosis was done via both HRCT chest and PCR assay. Patient's demographic characteristics and PCR results
were retrieved from hospital database. Diagnostic accuracy was explored by calculating sensitivity, specificity,
positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV) and overall diagnostic accuracy.
Results: Of 250 patients, the mean age was 58.5 years ± 14.7 years. HRCT findings in positive scans showed that of
181 patients, majority of the patients presented with multifocal peripheral rounded ground glass opacities
(GGOs) with crazy paving observed in 77 (42.5%), multifocal peripheral rounded in GGOs 51 (28.1%), and multifocal
peripheral rounded GGOs with crazy paving and consolidations 45 (24.8%). Furthermore, bilateral lungs and
multifocal multilobar involvement of lungs was observed in 179 (98.8%) each. While peripheral lung involvement
was observed in 176 (97.2%) patients. The sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV, and overall diagnostic accuracy of
HRCT chest in diagnosing COVID-19 pneumonia was 93.4%, 53.5%, 71.2%, 86.9%, and 75.6% respectively.
Conclusion:HRCT chest has a higher sensitivity and comparable diagnostic accuracy to PCR testing in diagnosing
COVID 19 pneumonia and thus in the epidemic areas, it can be used as an important adjunct to PCR testing.
Sanam Yasir, Maria Rauf, Raana Kanwal, Belqees Yawar Faiz, Atif Iqbal Rana, Salma Gul, Rohama Saeed. (2020) Determining the Diagnostic Accuracy of Non-Contrast High-Resolution Computed Tomography Chest Study in COVID-19 Pneumonia Keeping PCR Assay as Gold Standard, Journal of the Dow University of Health Sciences, Volume 14, Issue 3.
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