Role of radiology in RT-PCR negative COVID-19 pneumonia: Review and recommendations

• Main Authors: Binit Sureka, Pawan Kumar Garg, Suvinay Saxena, Mahendra Kumar Garg, Sanjeev Misra
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications 2021-01-01
• Series: Journal of Family Medicine and Primary Care
• Subjects: covid-19; ct; negative; rt-pcr
• Online Access: http://www.jfmpc.com/article.asp?issn=2249-4863;year=2021;volume=10;issue=5;spage=1814;epage=1817;aulast=Sureka

Currently, RT-PCR is the gold standard for diagnosing SARS-CoV-2 infection. However, due to the time-consuming laboratory tests and the low positivity rate of RT-PCR, it cannot be an ideal screening tool for infected population. In this review article, we have reviewed studies related to RT-PCR and CT chest and we would like to give our recommendations. Depending upon the patient's clinical symptoms and radiology imaging typical of viral pneumonia compatible with COVID-19 infection, clinicians need to consider isolation of these patients early even if the RT-PCR test is negative.