Evaluating the Sensitivity and Specificity of CT Scan Images in the Screening of Trauma Patients with COVID-19

The lack of enough medical evidence about COVID-19 regarding optimal prevention, diagnosis, and treatment contributes negatively to the rapid increase in the number of cases globally. A chest computerized tomography (CT) scan has been introduced as the most sensitive diagnostic method. Therefore, this research aimed to examine and evaluate the chest CT scan as a screening measure of COVID-19 in trauma patients.

This cross-sectional study was conducted in Rajaee Hospital in Shiraz from February to May 2020. All patients underwent unenhanced CT with a 16-slice CT scanner. The CT-scans were evaluated in a blinded manner and main CT scan features were described and classified into four groups according to North American Society of Radiology recommendation. Subsequently, the first two North American Society of Radiology categories with the highest probability of COVID pneumonia (i.e. typical and indeterminate) were merged into the “positive CT scan group” and those with radiologic features with the least probability of COVID pneumonia into “negative CT scan group”.

Chest CT scan had a sensitivity (68%), specificity (56%), positive predictive value (34.8%), negative predictive value (83.7%), and accuracy (59.3%) in detecting COVID-19 among trauma patients. Also, for the diagnosis of COVID-19 by CT scan in asymptomatic individuals a sensitivity of 100% and a specificity of 66.7% and a negative predictive value of 100% was obtained.

Findings of the study indicated that the CT scan's sensitivity and specificity is less effective in diagnosing trauma patients with COVID-19 in comparison to non-traumatic people.