Is Computed Tomography Necessary for the Diagnosis of Coronavirus Disease (COVID–19) in all Suspected Patients? A case series

Document Type : Case Series

Authors

1 Pars Advanced and Minimally Invasive Medical Manners Research Center, Pars Hospital, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

2 Depts of Medicine and Diagnostic Radiology, McGill University Health Center -Research Institute, Canada

3 Babak Imaging Center, Pars Hospital, Tehran, Iran

4 Professor, Pars Advanced and Minimally Invasive Medical Manners Research Center, Pars Hospital, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

Abstract

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID–19), reported pandemic in March 2020, is the current health problem with no definite prevention or treatment. As a newly emerging disease, new cases are reported each day to add to the physician’s knowledge about the best clinical approach. One of the controversies in this regard is the gold standard diagnostic method. Evidence suggests that polymerase chain reaction (RT–PCR) for Coronavirus nucleic acid has a low sensitivity and computed tomography (CT) has been suggested for more accurate diagnosis. Yet, CT has the disadvantage of radiation and is not safe in all patients. Here, we present a case series of 23 patients who underwent both RT–PCR and CT and report the outcome.

Keywords

References

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Journal of Kerman University of Medical Sciences
Volume 28, Issue 2
March and April 2021
Pages 187-193

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