Open AccessDevelopment of bullous lung disease with pneumothorax following SARS‐CoV ‐2 infection
Author(s) -
Abdullah Hafizah,
Wong Yen Shen,
Ibrahim Muhammad Amin,
Natasya Musa Aisya,
Jayaraman Thevaraajan,
Mohd Zim Mohd Arif
Publication year - 2022
Publication title -
respirology case reports
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.304
H-Index - 9
ISSN - 2051-3380
DOI - 10.1002/rcr2.1013
Subject(s) - medicine , pneumothorax , covid-19 , lung disease , virology , disease , lung , pathology , immunology , infectious disease (medical specialty) , surgery , outbreak
Cystic lung formation secondary to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) infection was described during coronavirus disease pandemic, but with relatively low prevalence. A rare yet under‐recognized complication is that these cystic areas may progress to bullae, cavities and pneumothorax. We reported two cases of ruptured bullae with pneumothorax following SARS‐CoV‐2 infection. Two patients were discharged following SARS‐CoV‐2 pneumonia, which did not require invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV). However, both patients presented again a month later with shortness of breath. Repeated computed tomography (CT) thorax showed development of bullous lung disease and pneumothorax. The first patient underwent surgical intervention whilst the second patient was treated conservatively. Development of bullous lung disease following SARS‐CoV‐2 infection is rare but may be associated with serious morbidity. Patients whose general condition permits should be offered surgical intervention whilst conservative management is reserved for non‐surgical candidates.