A rare problem in a pregnant woman with COVID-19 pneumonia: Pneumomediastinum and subcutaneous emphysema

Abstract

Novel coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) has affected millions of individuals within in a short period of time, resulting in hundreds of thousands of deaths, and has led to a crisis worldwide. A 22-year-old pregnant woman (32 weeks of gestation) was admitted to our clinic with a suspicion of COVID-19. Initially, radiological evaluation using computed tomography (CT) imaging was unable to be performed, as the patient refused imaging study; however, we were able to obtain CT following emergency cesarean section. On CT scan, pulmonary lesions were predominant at the lower zones and progressed to confluent bilateral consolidation with pneumomediastinum, confirming COVID-19 pneumonia and pneumomediastinum complications. In conclusion, although rare, spontaneous pneumomediastinum should be considered in COVID-19 infection.