COVID-19, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and Pneumothorax: A Frightening Triad
covid-19, pneumonia, COPD, ARDS, Pneumothorax, Dyspnoea
We describe the case of a male patient admitted to our emergency department during the Italian COVID-19 epidemic, for progressive worsening dyspnoea. A diagnosis of pneumothorax and diffuse interstitial lung involvement was promptly made by lung ultrasound and confirmed by an HRCT scan. A chest CT scan also showed diffuse emphysema, as observed in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and small consolidations in the lower lobes, suggestive for COVID-19 pneumonia. A chest tube was immediately inserted in the emergency room with complete resolution of the dyspnoea. A nasopharyngeal swab for 2019-nCoV was positive. Unfortunately, the patient died from COVID-19-related acute respiratory distress syndrome after 48 days of hospitalization.
Erika Poggiali, Andrea Vercelli, Teresa Iannicelli, Valentina Tinelli, Laura Celoni, Andrea Magnacavallo