The Compatibility of Chest CT Scan with RT-PCR in Suspected COVID-19 Patients

Abstract

Background: Thoracic CT scan plays a role in detecting and assessing the progression of COVID-19. It can evaluate the response to the therapy given. In diagnosis, the CT scan of the chest may complement the limitations of RT-PCR. Several recent studies have discussed the importance of CT scans in COVID-19 patients with false-negative RT-PCR results. The sensitivity of chest CT scan in the diagnosis of COVID-19 is reportedly around 98%. This study aimed to determine the compatibility of CT scan of the thorax with RT-PCR in suspected COVID-19 patients. Materials and methods: This research was conducted in the Radiology Department of the Wahidin Sudirohusodo Hospital Makassar from April to December 2020 with 350 patients. The method used was a 2x2 table diagnostic test. Results: The study included 188 male patients (53.7%) and 162 female patients (46.2%). The most common age group was 46–65 years (35.4%). The most common types of lesions were GGO (163 cases), consolidation (128 cases), and fibrosis (124 cases), mostly found in the inferior lobe with a predominantly peripheral or subpleural distribution. The sensitivity of the CT scan to the PCR examination was 86%, and the specificity was 91%. Conclusions: Thoracic CT scan was a good modality in establishing the diagnosis of COVID-19. CT scan of the chest with abnormalities could confirm the diagnosis in 88% of cases based on RT-PCR examination. It excluded the diagnosis in 91% based on the RT-PCR examination. The accuracy of the thoracic CT scan was 88% with RT-PCR as the reference value.