Chronic COVID 19 Related Disease Requiring Lung Transplantation with Calcified Cavitary Lesions in Explanted Lungs

INTRODUCTION: Bilateral cavitary lung lesions with calcification in a patient with chronic COVID requiring transplantation are described. CASE REPORT: 46-year-old woman presented for lung transplant with respiratory failure due to COVID-19 pneumonia following remdesivir, decadron, tocilizumab and baricitinib therapy. Cavitary upper lobe lung lesions were noted on imaging with negative cultures. She was started on VV ECMO as a bridge to bilateral lung transplant. Explanted lungs were consolidated and fibrotic with bilateral upper lobe calcification surrounding cavitary lesions. Varied microscopic pathology included NSIP pattern of inflammation, and foci of airway centered inflammation with giant cells suggesting chronic hypersensitivity reaction. The calcification was reminiscent of dendriform/metastatic calcification, and involved areas of necrotic/mummified parenchyma. SUMMARY: Cavitation as a late stage complication of COVID19 has been described in rare cases and is considered atypical. The constellation of findings in our case, including cavitary lesions with associated dendriform like calcifications are unique and maybe attributable to COVID19 itself +/- exacerbation of underlying chronic lung disease +/- intercurrent infection, or COVID19 related cavitation with superimposed secondary changes due to ECMO treatment. Bilateral lung transplantation has a reasonable short-term prognosis for patients with end stage respiratory failure secondary to COVID19; examination of these native lungs may expand our concept of COVID19 related chronic lung injury patterns.