Chest CT features of COVID-19 in the region of Abu Dhabi, UAE- A single institute study

OBJECTIVE

Our aim is to investigate high resolution CT features of COVID-19 infection in Abu Dhabi, UAE, and to compare the diagnostic performance of CT scan with RT-PCR test.

METHODS

Data of consecutive patients who were suspected to have COVID-19 infection and presented to our hospital, was collected from March 2, 2020, until April 12, 2020. All patients underwent RT-PCR test; out of which 53.8% had chest CT scan done. Using RT-PCR as a standard reference, the sensitivity and specify of CT scan was calculated. We also analyzed the most common imaging findings in patients with positive RT-PCR results.

RESULTS

The typical HRCT findings were seen in 50 scans (65.8%) out of total positive ones; 44 (77.2%) with positive RT-PCR results and 6 (31.6%) with negative results. The peripheral disease distribution was seen in 86%, multilobe involvement in 70%, bilateral in 82%, and posterior in 82% of the 50 scans.

The ground glass opacities were seen in 50/74 (89.3%) of positive RT-PCR group. The recognized GGO patterns in these scans were: rounded 50%, linear 38%, and crazy-paving 24%.

Using RT-PCR as a standard of reference, chest HRCT scan revealed sensitivity of 68.8% and specificity of 70%.

CONCLUSION

The commonest HRCT findings in patients with COVID-19 pneumonia were peripheral, posterior, bilateral, multilobe rounded ground glass opacities.