DOI: 10.36347/sjams.2020.v08i07.018

Pages: 1734-1740

Objective: To investigate High resolution computed tomography (HRCT) features of patients with suspected COVID 19 in Moulvibazar district, Bangladesh and to evaluate the diagnostic value of HRCT and reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT PCR) for COVID 19 pneumonia. Methods: This retrospective study included all patients with COVID 19 pneumonia suspicion, who were examined by both HRCT and RT PCR at initial presentation. The sensitivities of both tests were then compared. For patients with a final confirmed diagnosis, clinical and laboratory data, in addition to HRCT imaging findings were evaluated. Results: Total of 21 cases was finally diagnosed with COVID-19 pneumonia among 51 suspected patients. Twenty patients had abnormal HRCT findings at presentation, and only one patient had a normal thoracic HRCT. Using RT-PCR, 19 cases showed positivity, with 2 cases initially missed. Amongst the missed cases, patients had a positive result in the second RT-PCR test (after 2 and 4 days) Therefore, sensitivity of HRCT examinations was 95.45 % at presentation, whereas first round RT-PCR sensitivity was 86.36 %. Conclusion: COVID 19 manifest with chest HRCT imaging abnormalities even in asymptomatic patients. RT PCR may produce initial false negative results. We suggest that patients with typical HRCT findings with negative RT PCR results should be isolated, and RT PCR should be repeated to avoid misdiagnosis.