Case Report: COVID-19 With Spontaneous Pneumothorax, Pneumomediastinum and Subcutaneous Emphysema

Abstract

To date, few report cases of spontaneous pneumothorax, pneumomediastinum and subcutaneous emphysema without any cause of trauma have been observed in patients with COVID-19 pneumonia. We present a case of a 66-year-old male patient who developed such complication on day 19 of hospitalization, without requiring non-invasive or invasive ventilator. CT thorax scan revealed widespread bilateral ground glass opacities with pneumothorax, pneumomediastinum, and subcutaneous emphysema, which were resolved totally on the following 29 days. We highlight preexisting mechanisms for pulmonary air-leak syndrome and importance of prompt recognition to establish adequate therapy in patients with COVID-19 pneumonia.