Pneumatocele complicated with bronchopleural fistula and pneumothorax in SARS-CoV2 pneumonia

Abstract

Pulmonary pneumatoceles are acquired, air-containing cystic lesions that may develop as a complication of bacterial pneumonia, especially after staphylococcal pneumonia in pediatric patients. However, they are very rarely observed in adults. Less frequently, pneumatoceles may occur in association with other types of pneumonias or have a non-infectious etiology, such as thoracic surgery or mechanical ventilation, among others. In this article, we report a case of a 62-year-old male who developed multiple post-infectious pulmonary pneumatoceles complicated with bronchopleural fistula and hydropneumothorax, secondary to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 pneumonia with bacterial superinfection by Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The patient's clinical and radiological course improved after the percutaneous insertion of a chest tube, with complete resolution of the pneumatoceles and its complications.