COVID-19 Pneumonia: Three Thoracic Complications in the Same Patient

ABSTRACT

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.