Pulmonary artery pseudoaneurysm: an unsuspected cause of haemoptysis in post-COVID fungal infection of the chest.

Pulmonary Artery Pseudoaneurysm (PAP) is a rare but potentially fatal cause of haemoptysis, which often remains unsuspected by both clinicians and radiologists. Traditionally, infections like tuberculosis and bacterial endocarditis have been associated with the development of PAPs. However, additional causative factors like trauma, neoplasia, pulmonary hypertension and vasculitis are also to be considered. With the advent of the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19), attempts have been undertaken to study its multisystem implications. Also, a strong correlation has also been established between COVID-19 and fungal infestation of the paranasal sinuses and lung parenchyma. Hence, PAP should be suspected in post-COVID patients who develop new-onset haemoptysis or new focal consolidation on imaging. Imaging investigations like chest radiograph, CT chest, and CT Pulmonary Angiography help in the establishment of a diagnosis and assessment of the relevant anatomy, which aid in the classification of the PAP. Management strategies include endovascular treatment, surgical resection or conservative approach in form of prolonged antimicrobial therapy. Interventional radiological procedures like endovascular embolisation are especially useful in vitally unstable cases of massive haemoptysis who are poor surgical candidates. Our case highlights the unique presentation of pulmonary arterial pseudoaneurysm induced by a post-COVID-19 fungal infection.