Spontaneous Pneumothorax as a Late Complication of Mild COVID-19 Infection: A Case Report

Abstract

Spontaneous pneumothorax (PTX) is a rare but life-threatening complication of lung injuries sustained from severe COVID-19 infection, most commonly associated with mechanical ventilation. Development of spontaneous PTX in patients after only mild COVID-19 infections not requiring hospitalization is even rarer. Here, we present the case of a 37-year-old male with spontaneous PTX secondary to a mild COVID-19 infection diagnosed one-month prior. A computed tomography (CT) scan of the chest revealed new air-filled cysts thought to be mediated by the inflammatory response to his acute infection, and his PTX was thought to be secondary to cyst wall rupture due to prolonged coughing. He was successfully treated with a chest tube and supplemental oxygen and, at a two-month follow-up, demonstrated clinical and radiographic improvement.

COVID-19-Related Pleural Diseases

“…6 Recent case reports have mentioned delayed PTX after many weeks of COVID-19 infection. 28,29 This adds more complexity to the pathophysiological basis of the disease as one would expect the lung parenchymal inflammation in these patients to have mostly resolved by this time point. There are certainly other unknown factors contributing to PTX development and further research is required.…”