Pulmonary necrosis and bronchopleural fistula in a patient infected with COVID-19: A case report

Abstract

Objective: Bronchopleural fistula (BPF) is a pathological communication between the bronchial tree and pleural space. BPFs are commonly seen after lung surgery, and are less common in trauma, lung abscess, and radiation therapy. In this study, we describe the clinical course and surgery of a case of pulmonary necrosis and BPF in a patient infected with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Case Presentation: The patient was a 54-year-old man with multiple myeloma and end-stage renal disease from the last 8 years. He had a history of coronary artery bypass grafting from the last 3 years. He also suffered from progressive shortness of breath and dry cough since March 2019. Conclusion: The results of this study showed that BPF is one of the most severe complications after thorax surgery, and there is no effective prevention method particularly in this patient who had COVID-19 pneumonia. Therefore, early intervention, especially when diagnosed at an early stage, by strengthening the stump inside the thorax or thoracotomy in the open window may eventually accelerate the closure of the BPF and improve the survival.