Post-COVID-19 Pulmonary Inflammatory Pseudotumors Treated With Steroid Taper
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The aftermath of COVID-19 continues to unveil an array of pulmonary complications, extending beyond the acute phase of the viral infection. Among these emerging sequelae, we present the case of a 58-year-old individual who developed pulmonary inflammatory pseudotumors (PIPs) following recovery from COVID-19. PIPs are exceedingly rare benign lesions that can pose a diagnostic challenge due to their clinical and radiological resemblance to malignant neoplasms. Histologically, PIPs are characterized by a proliferation of myofibroblastic spindle cells accompanied by inflammatory infiltrates, including lymphocytes, plasma cells, and histiocytes. As our understanding of post-COVID-19 complications evolves, this case serves as the first exploration into the complex interplay between COVID-19 infections and the subsequent development of inflammatory pseudotumors. In this report, an investigation is performed into the clinical presentation, diagnostic challenges, and successful management of post-COVID-19 PIPs with a focus on the pivotal role of corticosteroid therapy in mitigating the inflammatory response associated with this unique post-viral entity and resolution of the masses.
Iliadis A, Koletsa T, Vounotrypidis P, Fassas A, Apostolidis A, Apostolidis S Cureus. 2024; 16(11):e73121.
PMID: 39651014 PMC: 11622730. DOI: 10.7759/cureus.73121.