Sensitivity of Chest CT for COVID-19: Comparison to RT-PCR

Abstract

statement: In a series of 51 patients with chest CT and RT-PCR assay performed within 3 days, the sensitivity of CT for COVID-19 infection was 98% compared to RT-PCR sensitivity of 71% (p<.001).

Diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 infection based on CT scan vs RT-PCR: reflecting on experience from MERS-CoV

“…In a study of 51 patients, the positivity rate for a single respiratory swab was 70%, an additional 24% (94% cumulative) after a second test, and an additional 3.9% (98% cumulative) after a third test ( Figure 1) [4]. However, an abnormal CT scan findings compatible with viral pneumonia was seen in 98% of patients [4]. This difference had resulted in the recommendations of authors to state that CT scan is more sensitive than PCR.…”

“…This difference had resulted in the recommendations of authors to state that CT scan is more sensitive than PCR. Reasons for low sensitivity of PCR may include insensitive nucleic acid detection methods and variations in the accuracies of different tests, low initial viral load or improper clinical sampling [4]. An additional reason may be that lower respiratory samples may be better than upper respiratory samples, as is the cases with MERS-CoV [5] [6].…”

Atypical lung feature on chest CT in a lung adenocarcinoma cancer patient infected with COVID-19

“…She initially visited the Second Hospital of Luohe City on February 4, 2020, and was examined by one physician who was diagnosed with COVID-10 on Chest CT images showed diffuse irregular small ground-glass opacities with partial consolidation in bilateral lungs on Day 10, in addition to the mass in the left lung. The nodular opacities increased in size and number on Day 14, which was not a typically reported COVID-19 feature including ground glass opacity (GGO), crazy-paving pattern, and consolidation (3,4).…”

Multiple parameters required for diagnosis of COVID-19 in clinical practice

“…However, initial RT-PCR is not always positive in the patients with COVID-19 infection. 3,4 In that situation, chest computed tomographic (CT) images could be played an important role to detect the lesions in the pulmonary parenchyma in the patients suspected with COVID-19 infection. But it doesn't mean that the abnormalities of CT images could be observed in the COVID-19 infection while the initial RT-PCR is positive or negative.…”

“…But it doesn't mean that the abnormalities of CT images could be observed in the COVID-19 infection while the initial RT-PCR is positive or negative. [3][4][5][6] Therefore, even though chest CT plays a key role in detection or diagnosis of COVID-19 infection, however, chest CT examination and RT-PCR results should be mutual verification for precise diagnosis in the patient suspected COVID-19 infection.…”