tetano
Editor, Senior Moderator
BMJ Case Rep
. 2020 Aug 11;13(8):e237938.
doi: 10.1136/bcr-2020-237938.
Broadening the differential: pneumomediastinum and COVID-19 infection
Rajan Pooni[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Gargi Pandey[SUP] 2 [/SUP], Saniath Akbar[SUP] 2 [/SUP]
Affiliations
Abstract
The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) has emerged as a new pathogen responsible for an atypical viral pneumonia, with severe cases progressing to an acute respiratory distress syndrome. In our practice, we have observed patients admitted with COVID-19 pneumonia developing worsening hypoxaemic respiratory failure prompting the need for urgent endotracheal intubation. Here, we present a case of a patient admitted with severe COVID-19 pneumonia who required continuous positive airway pressure support following acute deterioration. However, with the patient requiring an increasing fraction of inspired oxygen (FiO[SUB]2[/SUB]), a prompt CT pulmonary angiogram scan was performed to exclude an acute pulmonary embolism. Surprisingly, this revealed a pneumomediastinum. Following a brief admission to the intensive care unit, the patient made a full recovery and was discharged 18 days post admission.
Keywords: pneumomediastinum; respiratory medicine.
. 2020 Aug 11;13(8):e237938.
doi: 10.1136/bcr-2020-237938.
Broadening the differential: pneumomediastinum and COVID-19 infection
Rajan Pooni[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Gargi Pandey[SUP] 2 [/SUP], Saniath Akbar[SUP] 2 [/SUP]
Affiliations
- PMID: 32784240
- DOI: 10.1136/bcr-2020-237938
Abstract
The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) has emerged as a new pathogen responsible for an atypical viral pneumonia, with severe cases progressing to an acute respiratory distress syndrome. In our practice, we have observed patients admitted with COVID-19 pneumonia developing worsening hypoxaemic respiratory failure prompting the need for urgent endotracheal intubation. Here, we present a case of a patient admitted with severe COVID-19 pneumonia who required continuous positive airway pressure support following acute deterioration. However, with the patient requiring an increasing fraction of inspired oxygen (FiO[SUB]2[/SUB]), a prompt CT pulmonary angiogram scan was performed to exclude an acute pulmonary embolism. Surprisingly, this revealed a pneumomediastinum. Following a brief admission to the intensive care unit, the patient made a full recovery and was discharged 18 days post admission.
Keywords: pneumomediastinum; respiratory medicine.