An Autopsy Case of Post-COVID-19 Interstitial Lung Disease with Acute Exacerbation

Intern Med. 2023 Dec 1;62(23):3519-3523. doi: 10.2169/internalmedicine.2006-23. Epub 2023 Sep 29.

Abstract

The prognosis of patients with post-coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) interstitial lung disease remains unclear. We herein report an autopsy case in which serial progression after the onset of post-COVID-19 interstitial lung disease resulted in an acute exacerbation, leading to a fatal outcome. Autopsy findings included hyaline membrane formation/interstitial inflammatory cell infiltration, suggestive of acute lesions, and severe regional fibrosis, indicating a preexisting chronic condition. In the present case, we histopathologically confirmed the acute exacerbation of post-COVID-19 interstitial lung disease.

Keywords: autopsy pathology; diffuse alveolar damage; interstitial lung disease; post-COVID-19.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Autopsy
  • COVID-19* / complications
  • Humans
  • Lung Diseases, Interstitial* / complications
  • Lung Diseases, Interstitial* / pathology