PATIENTS INFECTED WITH THE OMICRON VARIANT OF SEVERE ACUTE RESPIRATORY SYNDROME CORONAVIRUS 2: INITIAL CHEST CT FINDINGS AND TEMPORAL CHANGES

Abstract

Background: Omicron has higher transmissivity compared to previous strains, and clinical manifestations are not identical. To date, few studies have examined the imaging characteristics of Omicron. Methods: The patients undergo one or more CT examinations. The radiologist analyzed abnormal lung patterns and how these characteristics changed over time. Results: 18 patients (4.9%, 18/364) had viral pneumonia on chest CT, 14 had follow-up CT, and 11 had three or more CT examinations. 11 patients (11/14) had the most lung segments affected by pneumonia at the initial CT and then decreased. Three patients (3/14) had fewer lung segments affected by pneumonia during the first CT examinations, and the number increased during the follow-up CT, two were elderly with basic diseases and unvaccinated. Ground-glass opacity (GGO) was the primary abnormality at the first CT in seven patients (7/11). Then GGO decreased, and mixed lesions appeared in two patients. On the third CT, 5 patients showed complete absorption of pneumonia (5/11), and the residual lesions were pure GGO (2/11) or mixed GGO (4/11). Conclusion: Pneumonia is rare in patients with Omicron and is absorbed quickly, but pneumonia lasts longer in patients with underlying illnesses or those who are older.