Ultrasound in Suspected Pneumonic COVID-19: Our Experience

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.