Open AccessCOVID-19 and Lung Cavitation: A Clue to Pathogenesis?
Author(s) -
Tanner W Norris,
Blake M. Snyder,
Patryk Purta,
Ryan P. Spilman,
Vanessa J. Craig
Publication year - 2022
Publication title -
hca healthcare journal of medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2690-3830
pISSN - 2689-0216
DOI - 10.36518/2689-0216.1361
Subject(s) - complication , covid-19 , medicine , pathogenesis , lung , pneumonia , microangiopathy , pathology , radiology , diabetes mellitus , disease , infectious disease (medical specialty) , endocrinology
Description Lung cavitation as a complication of COVID-19 is rare. A 56-year-old male presented with lung cavitation, small volume hemoptysis, and violaceous discoloration of the right great toe, 5 weeks after diagnosis with COVID-19 pneumonia. The digital changes were consistent with previously described microvascular changes called "COVID toe." CT angiography of the chest was negative for pulmonary embolism but showed a 2.5 x 3.1 x 2.2 cm cavitation within the right lung. Extensive evaluation for commonly implicated infectious and autoimmune causes was negative. We concluded that the cavitary lung lesions were likely a complication of COVID-19 pneumonia and may implicate microangiopathy as an important component of pathogenesis. This case highlights a rare complication of COVID-19 of which clinicians should be aware.