Sensitivity of Portable Chest X-ray and CT for COVID-19 Patients (in Low-Resource Settings)

The aim of this research was to evaluate the capabilities of chest x-ray and Computed Tomography (CT) equipment in the diagnosis and monitoring of changes in the lungs in patients diagnosed with COVID-19 by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). In this study we analyzed radiological investigation (chest x-ray and CT) results of 50 RT-PCR positive COVID-19 patients, treated in Azerbaijan Medical University clinic between 01 April 2020 and 20 April 2020. Chest x-ray was performed according to standard protocols in digital mode by mobile x-ray unit. CT was performed according to standard local protocols in native mode, images were acquired by 1 mm slices both in lung and soft tissue windows. Sensitivity of both radiological methods was calculated compared to RT-PCR results. The most common finding in chest X-ray were ground-glass opacities (64%) and consolidation (24%). Sensitivity of chest x-ray for COVID-19 infection was 88% (44/50, 95% CI 75.7% - 95.5%). The most common finding in chest CT also were ground-glass opacities (72%) and consolidation (24%). Sensitivity of chest CT for COVID-19 infection was 96% (48/50, 95% CI 86.3% to 99.5%). Despite the lower sensitivity of portable x-ray examination (88%) in comparison with CT (96%), it is recommended to be performed in each patient and is suitable for use in dynamic observations, particularly considering it’s accessibility, transportability and ease of use.