Introduction:

Real-time reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) is the gold standard for establishing the diagnosis of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Chest computed tomography (CCT), as a diagnostic complement, classifies tomographic findings according to the COVID-19 Reporting and Data System (CO-RADS).

Objective:

To determine CCT sensitivity and specificity for COVID-19 diagnosis.

Methods:

We reviewed RT-PCR results, as well as their respective CCTs. All CCTs were classified according to CO-RADS. CCT sensitivity and specificity were evaluated using the RT-PCR result that was closest to that of CCT as reference.

Results:

We included 412 patients, out of whom 277 were males (46-70 years) and 130 were females (45-71 years); with 181 negative and 231 positive tests, a sensitivity of 92.15 % and specificity of 79.32 % were obtained. Mortality increased after six hospitalization days, in males and in CO-RADS 4, 5 and 6 in comparison with CO-RADS 1, 2 and 3.

Conclusions:

Early diagnosis play a decisive role in prognosis of SARS CoV 2 pneumonia; although RT-CPR is the current gold standard, false negatives are common findings, reason why chest CT help to confirm suspected cases, even in early stages. This image study is accessible and a fast tool. Therefore, CT most be considered as an essential study to be done in all suspected COVID 19 patients, classifying into the CO-RADS system classification, as a diagnosis and prognostic tool.