# Pop Goes the Lung: Bilateral Pneumothoraces Due to Delayed Pneumatocele Rupture in Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)

## TL;DR

A previously healthy man with COVID-19 developed bilateral pneumothoraces due to delayed pneumatocele rupture, highlighting a rare complication of the disease.

## Contribution

This case report highlights a rare complication of pneumatocele rupture leading to bilateral pneumothorax in a COVID-19 patient.

## Key findings

- A previously healthy male developed bilateral pneumothorax due to delayed pneumatocele rupture during recovery from COVID-19.
- The case suggests pneumatoceles can be a delayed complication of severe COVID-19, leading to life-threatening pneumothoraces.

## Abstract

Worldwide medical and scientific communities are focusing on further understanding coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) complications and its long-term impact on survivors. Pneumatocele cases are being reported more as a consequence of this virus and a cause of pneumothorax in certain patients. In this case vignette, we present a previously healthy male with COVID-19 symptoms who required hospitalization for hypoxia and who required readmission for bilateral pneumothorax from the delayed rupture of pneumatoceles. We describe this rare pathology and provide hypotheses for possible etiologies.