Spontaneous Pneumothorax and Pneumomediastinum in COVID 19: Case Series

Abstract

SARS COV2 infection can produce pneumothorax and spontaneous pneumomediastinum complications, which are associated with a worse prognosis. Here we present a series of cases of patients who presented subcutaneous emphysema caused by pneumothorax or spontaneous pneumomediastinum during care in the intensive care unit for pneumonia and COVID 19. This group of patients showed, in all cases, prolonged mechanical ventilation, refractory hypoxemia and hypercapnia, acute renal failure, bacterial superinfection, need for broad-spectrum antibiotics, and vasopressor support. Keywords: Subcutaneous Emphysema, Spontaneous Pneumothorax, Spontaneous Pneumomediastinum, COVID 19