key: cord-0879013-vib2s7bb
authors: Okusanya, Olugbenga; Sultan, Ibrahim
title: Commentary: COVID, cysts and catheters
date: 2020-09-28
journal: JTCVS Tech
DOI: 10.1016/j.xjtc.2020.09.034
sha: 78d1c1fba002d102c99e78b69778e084a83c40fb
doc_id: 879013
cord_uid: vib2s7bb

nan

The emergency of the novel virus SARS-CoV-2 (COVID) has changed the global health landscape. First being detected in China at the end of 2019, the virus rapidly spread every developed and undeveloped country in the world. 1 Currently more than 24 million people have been infected with more than 800,000 deaths. 2 The disease primary manifests as a respiratory illness but a myriad of other organ systems including the cardiovascular, neurologic and musculoskeletal systems are known to be involved. 3 The respiratory disease can range from asymptomatic and mild to severe requiring mechanical support, ECMO or even lung transplantation. 4 Currently the most common finding on imaging is diffuse bilateral ground glass opacities. 

There a few scattered reports of COVID related cystic change with some showing superinfection. 6 However, the absence of a secondary infection or barotrauma it is believed that the ARDS related to the lung infection is sufficient to cause these lung changes. Drainage of these collections is somewhat controversial. Cystic lung changes or pneumatoceles during the course of other pulmonary infections are usually managed without intervention and resolve with time. 7 However, these lesions if infected or symptomatic require drainage or surgical therapy. In patients critically ill with COVID, superinfection is believed to be common thus given the some may advocate early drainage of discrete lesions amenable to safe percutaneous access.

As COVID continues to spread and potentially re-infect patients, we must all broaden our knowledge base and clinical expertise in treating these patients. It is critical that any significant sequelae of this disease is recognized and best efforts are made to develop expert management strategies.

Clinical Characteristics of Coronavirus Disease 2019 in China

The 2019-2020 Novel Coronavirus (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2) Pandemic: A Joint American College of Academic International Medicine-World Academic Council of Emergency Medicine Multidisciplinary COVID-19 Working Group Consensus Paper

The role of extracorporeal life support for patients with COVID-19: Preliminary results from a statewide experience

Pneumatocele and cysts in a patient with SARS-CoV-2 infection

Surgical Resections of Superinfected Pneumatoceles in a Covid-19 Patient

Pulmonary traumatic pneumatocele and hematoma