Rapid Radiological Worsening and Cytokine Storm Syndrome in COVID-19 Pneumonia

Background In June 2020, a large randomised controlled clinical trial in the UK found that dexamethasone was effective in reducing the number of deaths in patients with severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Case description We describe a patient with rapid worsening of COVID-19 pneumonia and its dramatic improvement under corticosteroids. Discussion Corticosteroids could be useful in patients with an inflammatory profile, considering that acute respiratory distress syndrome may be the consequence of cytokine storm syndrome. Learning points One of the main pathophysiological hypotheses for severe COVID-19 pneumonia is inappropriate immunological hyperactivation.Corticosteroid therapy may be useful in these patients.