scholarly journals Screening COVID-19 with Chest CT in Preference to RT-PCR: Based on Mortality Analysis

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuanlong Xie ◽  
Minhao Wu ◽  
Chong Zhang ◽  
Yufan Zhu ◽  
Kun Li ◽  
...  

Abstract Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) became the outbreak of infectious diseases emergency worldwide. It remains unknown whether the RT-PCR test results was associated with the prognosis of COVID-19 patients or not. In this study, a total number of 495 patients with typical chest CT feature and symptom consistent with COVID-19 were retrospectively included from Jan 23, 2020 to Feb 26, 2020. 186 (37.58%), 32 (6.46%) and 277 (55.96%) COVID-19 patients had initial positive, suspected and negative RT-PCR results, respectively. The mean age was 58.55 years and 254(51.3%) were older than 60 years. 60.00% (297/495), 22.02% (109/495) and 17.98% (89/495) of COVID-19 patients were common, severe and critically type, respectively. There were no significant differences of age, gender, time from onset to hospitalization and severity classification in the patients with initial positive and negative RT-PCR result. The mortality rate of patients with positive and negative were 7.14% and 7.94%. Patients with initial negative or initial positive RT-PCR results had no significant difference of mortality rate (c2=4.079, p=0.130). The number of patients with lymphocyte ratios under the normal level was significantly larger in patients with initial negative RT-PCR results (59/92) compared with the patients with initial positive result (86/167), p=0.033. COVID-19 patients with positive or negative RT-PCR results had no significant difference in severity and mortality. Chest CT may be a more effective tool to screen COVID-19 in preference to RT-PCR.

2021 ◽  
pp. 51-52
Author(s):  
Tharani Putta ◽  
Kaushik Deconda

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Role of chest CT in diagnosis of corona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has been controversial. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the diagnostic performance of chest CT when utilizing COVID-19 Reporting and Data System (CO-RADS). METHODOLOGY: Retrospective study including consecutive patients with positive SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR test (initial or repeat test) and chest CT done in our institute between June and September 2020. Spectrum of CT ndings, CO-RADS score and 25 point CT severity score (CTSS) were recorded. RESULTS: A total of 300 consecutive patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection were included in the analysis. Out of the 168 patients who underwent CT prior to positive RT-PCR result, 125 (74.4%) had CO-RADS 3, 4 or 5 score on chest CT. 32 study patients (10.6%) had initial negative RT-PCR of which 24 (75%) had CO-RADS 4 or 5 score. Of the total patients with CO-RADS 3 to 5 score (227), 20 (8.8%) had severe lung involvement (CTSS 18-25), 83 (36.6%) had moderate lung involvement (CTSS 8-17) and 124 (54.6%) had mild lung involvement (CTSS 1-7). The mean CTSS was 7.9 with mean lobar score being higher in lower lobes (RLL=1.82, LLL=1.78) compared to the upper and middle lobes (RUL=1.61, RML=1.19, LUL=1.53). CONCLUSION:CT using CO-RADS scoring system has good diagnostic performance. In addition to assessing disease severity, it plays a vital role in triage of patients with suspected COVID-19 especially when there is limited availability of SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR tests, delay in RT-PCR test results or in negative RT-PCR cases when there is high index of clinical suspicion.


2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Saeed Nemati ◽  
Hamid Reza Najari ◽  
Anita Eftekharzadeh ◽  
Amir Mohammad Kazemifar ◽  
Ali Qandian ◽  
...  

Background: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic imposed the most devastating challenge on healthcare systems worldwide. Iran was among the first countries that had to confront serious shortages in reverse-transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) testing for severe acute respiratory syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and ventilators availabilities throughout the COVID-19 outbreak. Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the clinical course of hospitalized COVID-19 patients with different real-time RT-PCR test results during the first three weeks of the outbreak in Qazvin province, Iran. Methods: In this retrospective cohort study, patients with a positive chest computed tomography (CT) scan for COVID-19 who were admitted to all 12 hospitals across Qazvin province, Iran, between February 20 and March 11, 2020, were included and followed up until March 27, 2020. A multivariate logistic regression model was applied to compare the independent associates of death among COVID-19 patients. Then, patients were categorized into six groups based on admission to the intensive care unit (ICU) and rRT-PCR test status (positive, negative, or no test). Also, multilevel logistic regression was used to compare the odds of surviving in each group against the reference group (PCR negative patients not-received ICU) to show if the rational allocation of ICU occurred while its capacity is limited. Results: In this study, we included 998 patients (57% male; median age: 54 years) with positive chest CT scan changes. Among them, 558 patients were examined with rRT-PCR test and 73.8% tested positive. Case fatality rate (CFR) was 20.68 and 7.53% among hospitalized patients with positive and negative tests, respectively. While only 5.2% of patients were admitted to the ICU, CFR outside ICU was 17.70 and 4.65% in patients with positive and negative results not admitted to the ICU, respectively. Conclusions: Total CFR in all hospitalized COVID-19 patients in Qazvin province during the first three weeks of the pandemic was 11.7%. Also, according to the results, the main risk factors included a positive rRT-PCR test, age more than 70 years, and having two or more comorbidities or just immunodeficiency disorders. Hence, the ICU admission criteria or prioritized ICU beds allocation should be considered with more emphasis on rRT-PCR results when the capacity of ICU beds is low.


Author(s):  
Ali Murat Koc ◽  
Levent Altın ◽  
Türker Acar ◽  
Alpay Arı ◽  
Zehra Hilal Adıbelli

Aims Delay and false positivity in PCR test results have necessitated accurate chest CT reporting for management of patients with COVID-19 suspected symptoms. Pandemic related workload and level of experience on covid-dedicated chest CT scans might have effected diagnostic performance of on-call radiologists. The aim of this study is to reveal the interpretation errors in chest-CT reports of COVID-19 suspected patients admitted to the ER. Methods COVID-19 dedicated chest-CT scans which were performed between March and June 2020 were re-evaluated and compared with the former reports of these scans and PCR test results. CT scan results were classified into four groups. Parenchymal involvement ratios, radiology departments’ workload, COVID-19 related educational activities have examined. Results Out of 5721 Chest-CT scans, 783 CTs belonging to 664 patients (340 female, 324 male) were included to this study. RT-PCR test was positive in 398; negative in 385 cases. PCR positivity was found to be highest in “normal” and “typical for covid” groups whereas lowest in “atypical for covid” and “not covid” groups. 5-25% parenchymal involvement ratio was found in 84.2% of the cases. Regarding number of chest CT scans performed, radiologists’ workload have found to be increased six-folds compared to the same months of the former year. With the re-evaluation, a total of 145 IEs (18.5%) have been found. IEs were mostly precipitated in the first two months (88.3%) and mostly in “not covid” class (60%) regardless of PCR positivity. COVID-19 and radiology entitled educational activities along with the ER admission rates within the first two months of pandemic have seem to be related with the decline of IEs within time. Conclusion COVID-19 pandemic made a great impact on radiology departments with an inevitable burden of daily chest-CT reporting. This workload and concomitant factors have possible effects on diagnostic challenges in COVID-19 pneumonia.


2012 ◽  
Vol 42 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Anton Budhi Darmawan ◽  
Dwi Utami Anjarwati

Background: Chronic suppurative otitis media (CSOM) is one infectious disease of the middle ear, most commonly caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa. A high number of patients come to the ENT outpatient clinic with active benign type of CSOM. The bacteria Pseudomonas aeruginosa is capable of producing biofilm which protects itself from penetration of antibiotics, and therefore creates resistance towards antibiotics and difficult to eradicate. Objective: The aim of this study was to compare the sensitivity levels of chloramphenicol, polymyxin-neomycin, cyprofloxacin and ofloxacine against Pseudomonas aeruginosa in patients with active benign type CSOM in ENT clinic. Method: The method used was across sectional study on 25 patients, from August 2010 until December 2010. Samples were taken withear swab and then put on sensitivity test to chloramphenicol, polymyxin-neomycin, cyprofloxacin andofloxacine using the diffusion disc method. The analysis used in this study was Cochran test. Results: Results showed a significant difference in sensitivity among chloramphenicol (38,70%), polymyxinneomycin(83,87%),cyprofloxacin(90,32%)andofloxacin(58,06%)withp=0,000(p<0,05).PostHocanalysisusing the Mc Nemar indicated that there were significant differences in sensitivity betweenpolymyxin-neomycin to chloramphenicol with p=0,000 (p<0,05), ciprofloxacin to chloramphenicol andciprofloxacin to ofloxacine with p= 0,002, but there were no significant differences between cyprofloxacinto polymyxin-neomycin with p=0,687, polymyxin-neomycin to ofloxacin p=0.057 and ofloxacin tochloramphenicol p=0,109.   There were significant differences in antibiotic ear dropssensitivity to Pseudomonas aeruginosa in patients with active benign type of CSOM. Cyprofloxacin andpolymyxin-neomycin were more sensitive than ofloxacin and chloramphenicol. Keywords: Pseudomonas aeruginosa, active benign type of chronic suppurative otitis media, antibioticear drops.  Abstrak :  Latar belakang: Otitis media supuratif kronik (OMSK) merupakan penyakit infeksi kronik telinga tengah yang sering dijumpai di klinik THT. Penyebab tersering OMSK adalah bakteri Pseudomonasaeruginosa. Pseudomonas aeruginosa mempunyai kemampuan untuk membentuk biofilm yangmelindunginya dari penetrasi antibiotik sehingga menimbulkan resistensi terhadap antibiotik dan sulituntuk eradikasinya. Tujuan: Untuk mengetahui perbandingan tingkat sensitivitas kloramfenikol,polimiksin-neomisin, ciprofloksasin dan ofloksasin terhadap isolat Pseudomonas aeruginosa padapasien OMSK benigna aktif di klinik THT RSMS. Metode: Metode yang digunakan adalah crosssectional terhadap 29 pasien OMSK di klinik THT RSMS periode bulan Agustus 2010 - Desember2010. Pengambilan sampel dilakukan dengan swab telinga. Uji sensitivitas terhadap kloramfenikol,polimiksin-neomisin, ciprofloksasin dan ofloksasin dilakukan dengan metode cakram secara difusi.Analisis yang digunakan dalam penelitian ini adalah Cochran dan analisis post hoc. Hasil: Didapatkansensitivitas kloramfenikol sebesar 38,70%, polimiksin-neomisin sebesar 83,87%, ciprofloksasin sebesar90,32% dan ofloksasin sebesar 58,06% dengan p=0,01 (P<0,05), yang menunjukkan adanya perbedaansensitivitas yang bermakna antara kloramfenikol, polimiksin-neomisin, ciprofloksasin dan ofloksasinterhadap Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Analisis post hoc menggunakan Mc Nemar menunjukkan bahwaterdapat perbedaan sensitivitas yang bermakna antara tetes telinga polimiksin-neomisin terhadapkloramfenikol, dan ciprofloksasin terhadap kloramfenikol p=0,000 (p<0,05), serta terdapat perbedaanyang bermakna antara tetes telinga ciprofloksasin terhadap ofloksasin, p=0,002, tetapi tidak terdapatperbedaan yang bermakna antara ciprofloksasin terhadap polimiksin-neomisin, p=0,687, polimiksinneomisinterhadap ofloksasin p=0,057, dan kloramfenikol terhadap ofloksasin p=0,109. Kesimpulan:Terdapat perbedaan sensitivitas yang bermakna tetes telinga antibiotik terhadap Pseudomonas aeruginosa pada pasien OMSK benigna aktif. Ciprofloksasin dan polimiksin-neomisin tetes telinga mempunyai sensitivitas yang lebih baik dibanding ofloksasin dan kloramfenikol. Kata kunci: Pseudomonas aeruginosa, otitis media supuratif kronik, tetes telinga antibiotik 


Author(s):  
Youssriah Yahia Sabri ◽  
Mohamed Mohsen Tolba Fawzi ◽  
Eman Zaki Nossair ◽  
Safaa Mohamed El-Mandooh ◽  
Amira Aly Hegazy ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak was officially announced as a global pandemic by the WHO on March 11th 2020. Thorough understanding of CT imaging features of COVID-19 is essential for effective patient management; rationalizing the need for relevant research. The aim of this study was to analyze the chest CT findings of patients with real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) proved COVID-19 admitted to four Egyptian hospitals. The recently published RSNA expert consensus statement on reporting COVID-19 chest CT findings was taken into consideration. Results Normal CT “negative for COVID-19” was reported in 26.1% of our RT-PCR proved COVID-19 cases. In descending order of prevalence, imaging findings of the positive CT studies (73.9%) included GGO (69%), consolidation (49.7%), crazy paving (15.4%), and peri-lobular fibrosis (40.6%). These showed a dominantly bilateral (68.2%), peripheral (72.4%), and patchy (64.7%) distribution. Remarkably, thymic hyperplasia was identified in 14.3% of studies. According to the RSNA consensus, CT findings were classified as typical in 68.9%, indeterminate in 3.6%, and atypical in 1.4% of the evaluated CT studies. Conclusion Although COVID-19 cannot be entirely excluded by chest CT, it can be distinguished in more than two-thirds of cases; making CT a widely available, non-invasive, and rapid diagnostic tool.


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Vikram rao Bollineni ◽  
Koenraad Hans Nieboer ◽  
Seema Döring ◽  
Nico Buls ◽  
Johan de Mey

Abstract Background To evaluate the clinical value of the chest CT scan compared to the reference standard real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) in COVID-19 patients. Methods From March 29th to April 15th of 2020, a total of 240 patients with respiratory distress underwent both a low-dose chest CT scan and RT-PCR tests. The performance of chest CT in diagnosing COVID-19 was assessed with reference to the RT-PCR result. Two board-certified radiologists (mean 24 years of experience chest CT), blinded for the RT-PCR result, reviewed all scans and decided positive or negative chest CT findings by consensus. Results Out of 240 patients, 60% (144/240) had positive RT-PCR results and 89% (213/240) had a positive chest CT scans. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) of chest CT in suggesting COVID-19 were 100% (95% CI: 97–100%, 144/240), 28% (95% CI: 19–38%, 27/240), 68% (95% CI: 65–70%) and 100%, respectively. The diagnostic accuracy of the chest CT suggesting COVID-19 was 71% (95% CI: 65–77%). Thirty-three patients with positive chest CT scan and negative RT-PCR test at baseline underwent repeat RT-PCR assay. In this subgroup, 21.2% (7/33) cases became RT-PCR positive. Conclusion Chest CT imaging has high sensitivity and high NPV for diagnosing COVID-19 and can be considered as an alternative primary screening tool for COVID-19 in epidemic areas. In addition, a negative RT-PCR test, but positive CT findings can still be suggestive of COVID-19 infection.


2021 ◽  
pp. 003022282110598
Author(s):  
Hümeyra Aslaner ◽  
Betül Özen ◽  
Zeliha K. Erten ◽  
Mebrure Beyza Gökçek

Urgent measures were taken for those at the age of 65 and over who were at the risk group all over the world due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It is known that many individuals at the age of 65 and over have experienced anxiety due to the uncertainties. This study aimed to determine the anxiety and death anxiety in individuals aged 65 and over who were isolation at home due to being diagnosed with COVID-19 or being in contact during the pandemic process. The study is descriptive and cross-sectional. It was performed with 656 home-quarantined individuals aged between 65–80 years with positive or negative real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test result. A form including questions about the death anxiety and the Coronavirus Anxiety Scale Short Form prepared by the researchers were administered to the individuals by phone call. Of the participants, 49.5% were male. Median COVID-19 anxiety score was 4 (0–18). Anxiety scores of the male and female participants were similar. Participants with negative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) results and those with death anxiety had higher COVID anxiety scores. Death anxiety has increased by 1.661 times in male gender, 1.983 times in RT-PCR positivity and 0.146 times in the presence of symptoms. Individuals with positive COVID-19 test results or those aged 65 and over who had death anxiety and negative COVID-19 test result but who were in home-isolation due to being a contact had higher anxiety score. For this reason, those with death anxiety can be supported in line with their religious beliefs to reduce anxiety. Those with negative PCR test results in quarantine can be adequately informed about the COVID-19.


Cephalalgia ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 033310242110474
Author(s):  
Debashish Chowdhury ◽  
Luv Bansal ◽  
Ashish Duggal ◽  
Debabrata Datta ◽  
Ankit Mundra ◽  
...  

Objective The aim of the TOP-PRO-study, a double-blind randomized controlled trial, was to assess the efficacy (non-inferiority) and tolerability of propranolol compared to topiramate for the prevention of chronic migraine. Background Except for topiramate, oral preventive treatment for chronic migraine lacks credible evidence. Methods Chronic migraine patients aged above 18 years and less than 65 years of age, not on any preventive treatment were randomly allocated to receive topiramate (100 mg/day) or propranolol (160 mg/day). The primary efficacy outcome was the mean change in migraine days per 28 days at the end of 24 weeks from baseline. A mean difference of 1.5 days per four weeks was chosen as the cut-off delta value. Multiple secondary efficacy outcomes and treatment emergent adverse events were also assessed. Results As against the planned sample size of 244, only 175 patients could be enrolled before the spread of the corona virus disease-2019 pandemic and enforcement of lockdown in India. Of the 175 randomized patients, 95 (topiramate 46 and propranolol 49) completed the trial. The mean change in migraine days was −5.3 ± 1.2 vs −7.3 ± 1.1 days (p = 0.226) for topiramate and propranolol groups respectively. Propranolol was found to be non-inferior and not superior to topiramate (point estimate of −1.99 with a 95% confidence interval of −5.23 to 1.25 days). Multiple secondary outcomes also did not differ between the two groups. Intention to treat analysis of 175 patients and per-protocol analysis of 95 patients yielded concordant results. There was no significant difference in the incidence of adverse events between the two groups. Conclusion Propranolol (160mg/day) was non-inferior, non-superior to topiramate (100mg/day) for the preventive treatment of chronic migraine and had a comparable tolerability profile. Trial Registration: Clinical Trials Registry-India CTRI/2019/05/018997)


2021 ◽  
Vol 15 (9) ◽  
pp. 2474-2476
Author(s):  
Maham Munir Awan ◽  
Afshan Noreen ◽  
Farah Kalsoom ◽  
Muhammad Tahir ◽  
Umaima Majeed ◽  
...  

Objective: To determine the accuracy of CT chest in diagnosis of COVID-19 taking RT-PCR-testing as gold standard. Materials and Methods: A total of 150 patients of suspicion of COVID-19 who were referred for CT Chest in Radiology Department of Nishtar Medical University Multan from June-2020 to May-2021 were included. In all patients, two RT-PCR test results were obtained with 7 days of admission in hospital. Presence of any of these positive was labelled as COVID-19 infection. CT chest was performed in all patients within 2 days of admission in hospital using 128 slices CT scan machine. The diagnosis of COVID-19 infection was made according to the recommendations by Radiological Society of North America (RSNA) protocol. Results: Mean age was 51.3±14.7 years. 78 (52%) patients were male and 72 (48%) patients were female. RTPCR test was positive in 89 (59.3%) patients. While the CT chest findings were suggestive of COVID-19 infection in 130 (86.7%) patients. The sensitivity of CT chest was 95.5%, specificity 26.2%, PPV wad 65.4% and NPV was 80.0%. Conclusion: CT chest has a very good sensitivity for detection of COVID-19, it can be used as a rapid diagnostic tool especially in areas of pandemic. However, the specificity of CT chest is low, that can limit its use in low COVID-19 affected areas. Keywords: COVID-19, Computed tomography, False Positive, True Positive, Positive Predictive Value, Negative Predictive Value.


2010 ◽  
Vol 92 (6) ◽  
pp. 463-465 ◽  
Author(s):  
James McDaid ◽  
Claire Reichl ◽  
Ihsan Hamzah ◽  
Samantha Fitter ◽  
Laura Harbach ◽  
...  

INTRODUCTION We observed that a number of patients presenting to our clinic with diverticular fistulation were taking nicorandil for angna. Recognised side effects of nicorandil include gastrointestinal and genital ulceration. The aim of our study was to determine whether nicorandil is an aetiological agent in diverticular fistulation. PATIENTS AND METHODS We conducted a case-control study of patients with diverticular disease related enteric fistulae. Two patient groups were identified: a study group of patients with diverticular fistulae, and a control group with uncomplicated diverticular disease. The proportion of patients who had ever used nicorandil was compared between the two groups. RESULTS A total of 153 case notes were analysed, 69 patients with fistulae and 84 control patients with uncomplicated diverticular disease. Female to male ratio in both groups was 2:1. The mean age was 71 years in the fistula group and 69 years in the control diverticular disease group (P = ns). Of those with colonic fistulae, 16% were taking nicorandil compared with 2% of the control group (odds ratio 7.8; 95% confidence interval 1.5–39.1; P = 0.008). There was no significant difference in rates of ischaemic heart disease between fistula and control groups. CONCLUSIONS Nicorandil is associated with fistula formation in diverticular disease.


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