COVID-19 Associated Spontaneous Pneumothorax and Pneumopericardium: A Case Report

Abstract

Novel coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) has been one of the largest and most devastating global pandemics of our time. There have been several complications of this disease that have also proven to be debilitating and deadly. While primarily affecting the respiratory system, some cases presented with uncommon complications such as pneumopericardium and spontaneous pneumothorax. We present a case of an elderly female diagnosed with COVID-19 found to have both spontaneous pneumothorax and pneumopericardium. She had a complicated hospital course and ultimately succumbed to her illness. While the pathogenesis of these conditions is not yet fully understood, further studies are needed to help clinicians develop treatment and prevention strategies to improve patient outcomes.

Pneumomediastinum and Pneumopericardium as Uncommon Complications of COVID-19 Infection: A Review Article

“…Air leaks can occur spontaneously, as seen in COVID-19 patients, or secondary to barotrauma from mechanical ventilation [17]. In the present review, more than half of the cases occurred spontaneously, without mechanical ventilation.…”

“…SPM may also occur following cytokine storm-induced diffuse alveolar damage that increases the probability of alveolar rupture [44]. The use of mechanical ventilation with high positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) was suggested to develop PM and PP in COVID-19 patients [17,47].…”