Pneumothorax In Covid-19 Pneumonia: A case series. (2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Hameed, Mansoor; Jamal, Wasim; Yousaf, Muhammad; Thomas, Merlin; Haq, Irfan Ul; Ahmed, Shakeel; Ahmad, Mushtaq; Khatib, Mohamad
• Is Part Of: Respiratory medicine case reports. Volume 31(2020)
• Publication Date: 2020
• Subjects: Pneumothorax. covid -- 19. computed tomography. SARS-CoV −2; Respiratory organs -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Chest -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Respiratory Tract Diseases -- Periodicals; Respiratory System -- Periodicals; Chest -- Diseases; Respiratory organs -- Diseases; Electronic journals; Periodicals; 616.2
• DOI: 10.1016/j.rmcr.2020.101265
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2213-0071

Abstract

Abstract: Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) is an infectious disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). It mainly affects the lungs and common symptoms are fever, cough and shortness of breath. Pneumothorax has been noted to complicate Covid-19 cases requiring hospital admission, however the exact incidence and risk factors are still unknown Discussion: We present a series of 3 cases of primary spontaneous pneumothorax with Covid-19 pneumonia. All cases in our series did not require positive pressure ventilation and none had any pre-existing lung disease. All were never smokers and had favourable outcomes despite having severe Covid-19 with a pneumothorax during the course of the disease. In our literature review we discuss several plausible mechanisms and risk factors resulting in a pneumothorax with Covid-19. Conclusion: Our cases are a reminder that an acute deterioration with hypoxia in a Covid-19 patient could indicate a pneumothorax. Pneumothorax is one of the reported complications in Covid-19 and clinician vigilance is required during assessment of patients, as both share the common symptom of breathlessness and therefore can mimic each other.