COVID-19 Pneumonia: Three Thoracic Complications in the Same Patient
Andrea Borghesi,
Carlo Aggiusti,
Davide Farina,
Roberto Maroldi,
Maria Lorenza Muiesan
Affiliations
Andrea Borghesi
Department of Medical and Surgical Specialties, Radiological Sciences and Public Health, University of Brescia, ASST Spedali Civili of Brescia, Piazzale Spedali Civili 1, 25123 Brescia, Italy
Carlo Aggiusti
Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, UOC 2° Medicina, ASST Spedali Civili of Brescia, Piazzale Spedali Civili 1, 25123 Brescia, Italy
Davide Farina
Department of Medical and Surgical Specialties, Radiological Sciences and Public Health, University of Brescia, ASST Spedali Civili of Brescia, Piazzale Spedali Civili 1, 25123 Brescia, Italy
Roberto Maroldi
Department of Medical and Surgical Specialties, Radiological Sciences and Public Health, University of Brescia, ASST Spedali Civili of Brescia, Piazzale Spedali Civili 1, 25123 Brescia, Italy
Maria Lorenza Muiesan
Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, UOC 2° Medicina, ASST Spedali Civili of Brescia, Piazzale Spedali Civili 1, 25123 Brescia, Italy
The most dreaded thoracic complications in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) are acute pulmonary embolism and pulmonary fibrosis. Both the complications are associated with an increased risk of morbidity and mortality. While acute pulmonary embolism is not a rare finding in patients with COVID-19 pneumonia, the prevalence of pulmonary fibrosis remains unclear. Spontaneous pneumothorax is another possible complication in COVID-19 pneumonia, although its observation is rather uncommon. Herein, we present interesting computed tomography images of the first case of COVID-19 pneumonia that initially developed acute pulmonary embolism and subsequently showed progression toward pulmonary fibrosis and spontaneous pneumothorax.
