DTT Significantly Improves COVID-19 Diagnostic Performance

Background: Early diagnosis and treatment of COVID-19 infection results in better outcomes. Chest x-ray (CXR) is the most widespread and recommended radiological test for suspected COVID-19 pneumonia; however, CXR sensitivity values are about 60%. Early COVID-19 pneumonia manifests in low-density, inconspicuous infiltrates. CT sensitivity for COVID-19 pneumonia diagnosis is higher, ranging from 67% to 100%, but it has drawbacks such as radiation dose, cost, and burden on the health care system’s limited resources. Digital thoracic tomosynthesis (DTT) applies the x-ray source from different angles, and then the data are reconstructed into 50 to 60 sectorial images, avoiding the superimposition errors caused by overlapping thoracic structures. This may improve sensitivity for detection of COVID-19 pneumonia. Objective: To compare radiographs and DTT performance and agreement for COVID-19 pneumonia diagnosis. In addition, it assessed DTT diagnosis of COVID-19 when polymerase chain more...