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Case Reports
. 2021 Jan 4:2021:4126861.
doi: 10.1155/2021/4126861. eCollection 2021.

Spontaneous Tension Pneumothorax as a Complication of COVID-19

Muhammad Umar Shahzad  1 , Jennie Han  1 , Mohammad Ishack Ramtoola  1 , Vasileious Lamprou  1 , Urmi Gupta  2
Affiliations
Case Reports

Spontaneous Tension Pneumothorax as a Complication of COVID-19

Muhammad Umar Shahzad et al. Case Rep Med. .

Abstract

Key Clinical Message. Tension pneumothorax is an uncommon presentation in patients with SARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2) or COVID-19 pneumonia. We present a case of tension pneumothorax in a patient with COVID-19 pneumonia and myocarditis. This was an unlikely diagnosis in a patient with no known underlying lung condition and no other precipitating factors such as barotrauma. In an acute deterioration of patients with SARS-CoV-2, it is important to always consider alternative diagnoses and repeat imaging.

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Conflict of interest statement

All authors declare no conflicts of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Chest radiograph on admission demonstrating right midzone consolidation.
Figure 2
Figure 2
CT pulmonary angiogram report: there are no pulmonary emboli and pleural or pericardial effusions. There is consolidation within the right upper lobe with subtle peripheral ground glass opacification noted in the left upper lobe and in both lower lobes. Appearances are indeterminate but could represent early COVID-19 disease. The central and peripheral airways are patent with no lower cervical, axillary, and mediastinal lymphadenopathy and lung mass. Other viscera are unremarkable.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Portable chest radiograph following acute deterioration, demonstrating a right-sided tension pneumothorax.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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