Spontaneous pneumothorax and subcutaneous emphysema in COVID-19 patient: Case report

Abstract

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is an infectious disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome virus coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). As known, COVID-19 has become a global pandemic and serious health problem. Disease mainly affects lungs and common findings are fever cough and shortness of breath. Computerized tomography (CT) has an important role in initial evaluation and follow up of COVID-19. Main (CT) finding of the disease is bilateral extensive ground-glass opacification (GGO) with a peripheral or posterior distribution, mainly involving the lower lobes. In this case report, we present a pneumothorax and subcutaneous emphysema case in a patient with COVID-19. To the best of authors' knowledge, it is the first illustrated case of pneumothorax accompanying COVID-19 pneumonia.

Keywords: COVID-19; Pandemic; Pneumothorax; Subcutaneous emphysema.

Fig. 1

Axial CT scan of the level of superior thoracic aperture in mediastinal window: (a) subcutaneous emphysema between the deep structures of neck and posterior thoracic wall. Axial CT scan of the thorax in lung window; (b) massive left-sided pneumothorax. Bilateral ground glass patchy opacities are also seen representing COVID-19 lung involvement.