Ultrasound in Suspected Pneumonic COVID-19: Our Experience

Alrifai, Atef; El-Raey, Fathiya Mostafa; Yousef, Ahmed M.; Zaky, Samy

doi:10.21608/ijma.2020.43493.1176

Ultrasound in Suspected Pneumonic COVID-19: Our Experience

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

¹ Department of Chest Diseases and Allergy, Damietta Faculty of Medicine, Al-Azhar University, Egypt

² Department of Hepatology, Gastroenterology and Infectious Diseases, Damietta Faculty of Medicine, Al-Azhar University, Egypt

³ Department of Public Health and Community Medicine, Damietta Faculty of Medicine, Al-Azhar University, Egypt

⁴ Department of Hepatology, Gastroenterology, and Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Medicine for Girls, Al-Azhar University, Egypt

10.21608/ijma.2020.43493.1176

Abstract

Background: Coronavirus disease-19 [COVID-19] is a pandemic spreading all over the world. The novel corona virus has a specific tropism for the low respiratory airways causing viral pneumonia. Early diagnosis of suspicious COVID-19 pneumonia represents a pillar for immediate management. Computed tomography [CT] scan is considered the gold-standard screening tool, but it has several limitations. A chest ultrasound could play a role in COVID-19.
Aim of the work:To evaluate the role of lung ultrasound [LUS] in diagnosis of suspicious COVID-19 pneumonia.
Patients and Methods:Sixty patients with suspected COVID-19 pneumonia were included. They were initially evaluated in triage and initial diagnosis [Al-Azhar University Hospital; Damietta] and followed up by the surveillance and infection control team till the final diagnosis or discharge from isolation hospitals. All were evaluated clinically, by imaging modalities [LUS, chest computed tomography [CT]] and diagnosis confirmed by polymerase chain reaction. Data of LUS and chest CT compared to results of PCR.
Results: LUS had sensitivity of 88.2%, specificity of 11.5%, PPV of 56.6%, NPV of 42.8% and overall diagnostic accuracy of 55.0%. on the other side, CT scan had 94.1%, 3.85, 56.14%, 33.33% and 57.0% for sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value and overall diagnostic accuracy, successively. Results of LUS are slightly lower than CT.
Conclusion: US is a useful screening and monitoring tool in suspected COVID-19. It is feasible, portable with an accepted rate of sensitivity. However, it is advisable to be used as an integrated diagnostic tool.

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