ABSTRACT
Introduction: Lung Ultrasound was proposed as a diagnostic and follow-up toll for acute Sars-CoV-2 pneumonia. Information about its role in post-discharge is fewer. Materials and Methods: 53 patients with severe Sars-CoV-2 pneumonia, admitted in the period of March-May 2021 and treated with non-invasive ventilation, underwent a monthly follow-up post-discharge, including collection of symptoms, vital signs and lung ultrasound (LUS) exam with 14-zone method (damage score of 0-3). We compared all results (significance threshold: 0.05). Results: 69.8% of patients were male, a median age of 62 years. 79.3% of patients still presented at least one symptom at the first month with a significant decrease at next months;the median of dyspnea score (mMRC) decreased from 0-3(1st month) to 0-2(2nd month). Median of peripheral oxygen saturation significantly increased. Regarding the LUS score, a significant decrease has been observed between hospitalization (average: 21) and next months, as also a progressive decrease in its variability. All lung segments improved, except the anterior apices and the posterior middles areas. Conclusions: In first 3 months after discharge, we observed a progressive and significant reduction of Sars-CoV-2 related symptoms and an improvement in vital parameters. The congruent improvement in LUS exam helped the physician to confirm the positive trend or to anticipate other exams. “Long Covid” is a worrisome post-infectious condition for which health publics systems are investing in follow- up pathways. Lung ultrasound can preserve an important monitoring role.
ABSTRACT
Spontaneous pneumomediastinum (SPM) is among the rare complications of Coronavirus Disease-19 (COVID-19) and usually involves patients with a severe form of disease who are undergoing treatment with invasive/non-invasive ventilation or high-flow oxygen therapy. A very low percentage of SPM cases are detected in non-ventilated COVID-patients, the underlying causes of which are still to be understood. We report here on the case of a 65-year-old patient with no clinical history of cardiovascular or pulmonary disease who developed SPM within a few days following hospital admission. SPM was detected on chest CT-angiography, and was unrelated to high-flow oxygen treatment.