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Case Reports
. 2021 Mar-Apr;50(2):202-205.
doi: 10.1016/j.hrtlng.2020.12.002. Epub 2020 Dec 4.

COVID-19 and Spontaneous Pneumomediastinum: A case series

Alex Diaz  1 , Dolly Patel  2 , Najia Sayedy  2 , Fatima Anjum  3
Affiliations
Case Reports

COVID-19 and Spontaneous Pneumomediastinum: A case series

Alex Diaz et al. Heart Lung. 2021 Mar-Apr.

Abstract

COVID-19 is a relatively new and rapidly emerging disease. Given current knowledge of the disease process, it is of the utmost importance to gain further insight into its different clinical manifestations. In this report we describe three cases involving Hispanic males with COVID-19 all of whom developed pneumomediastinum during their hospital course. We want to emphasize the importance of this adverse event despite their non-smoking history and the exclusion of positive pressure ventilation. Frequent chest radiographs help with early recognition of this disease process. Early detection of pneumomediastinum is important as this could lead to worse morbidity if left unrecognized despite its usually benign nature.

Keywords: ARDS; Critical care; Pneumomediastinum; SARS-CoV-2.

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Conflict of interest statement

Declaration of Competing Interest None.

Figures

Fig 1
Fig. 1
Pneumomediastinum (arrow) with small right apical pneumothorax (notched arrow)
Fig 2
Fig. 2
Pneumomediastinum (arrows)
Fig 3
Fig. 3
Pneumomediastinum (arrows)
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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