Pneumomediastinum In Covid-19 Infection with Fatal Outcome

Abstract

We report the case of a 51-year-old female patient admitted to the intensive care unit for a severe form of SARS COV 2 pneumonia. The diagnosis based on suggestive clinical symptoms and confirmed by a non-injected CT revealed pneumomediastinum, associated to lung injuries extended to 75% of pulmonary parenchyma. After 5 days, the patient was initially put on oxygen therapy by non-rebreather mask and then on high flow nasal cannula, followed by intermittent noninvasive ventilation NIV. The patient died of respiratory failure 4 days later. We will discuss the mechanisms and risk factors for the occurrence of spontaneous pneumomediastinum during Covid-19 infection and the appropriate means of oxygen therapy