Spontaneous pneumomediastinum, pneumothorax and subcutaneous emphysema in COVID-19 patients—a case series

Spontaneous pneumomediastinum, pneumothorax and subcutaneous emphysema in COVID-19 patients—a case series

Akshat Agrawal, Kamal Kumar Sen, Gitanjali Satapathy, Humsheer Singh Sethi, Ajay Sharawat, Dwarampudi Sindhu Reddy

Abstract Background Spontaneous pneumomediastinum, pneumothorax and spontaneous subcutaneous emphysema are rare entities. A rising trend in the setting of COVID-19 even in patients who are not put on invasive ventilation can suggest an alternative aetiology. Case presentation We describe four cases which presented with suspected symptoms of COVID-19 and were diagnosed with pneumomediastinum, pneumothorax, and subcutaneous emphysema which would have been missed if not for computed tomography scan performed at the time of admission. Three of these cases had no prior history of any iatrogenic intervention, and the fourth person developing pneumothorax and subcutaneous emphysema after intubation. Conclusions Pneumomediastinum, pneumothorax and subcutaneous emphysema can be noted as a complication of COVID-19 itself as well as the complication of management of COVID-19.

2021

covid-19, Pneumothorax, subcutaneous emphysema, spontaneous pneumomediastinum

10.1186/s43055-020-00401-0

Biotemas

Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina

Medical physics. Medical radiology. Nuclear medicine