ABSTRACT
Bronchopleural fistula (BPF) is associated with high morbidity if left untreated. Although rare, the frequency of BPF in severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is becoming recognized in medical literature. We present a case of a 64-year-old male with BPF with persistent air leak due to SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia treated with Spiration Valve System endobronchial valve (EBV). An EBV was placed in the right middle lobe with successful cessation of air leak. In conclusion, the use of EBVs for BPF with persistent air leaks in SARS-CoV-2 patients who are poor surgical candidates is effective and safe.
Subject(s)
Bronchial Fistula/surgery , Bronchoscopy , COVID-19/complications , Empyema, Pleural/surgery , Pleural Diseases/surgery , Surgical Instruments , Bronchial Fistula/etiology , Chest Tubes , Empyema, Pleural/etiology , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Pleural Diseases/etiology , SARS-CoV-2 , ThoracostomyABSTRACT
After almost a year of declaring COVID-19 a global pandemic, unusual presentations of the disease continue to be reported. Very little is known about its association with pleural disease. Here, we present a case of empyema thoracis in a 39-year-old male admitted with COVID-19. The pleural fluid later turned serosanguinous and eventually bleeding from other sites also occurred. During his treatment, antibiotics were given, thoracocentesis was performed and later thoracotomy was done. He died on the 19th day of admission following a hemorrhagic stroke. Pleural disease, although considered atypical and unusual presentation of COVID-19, needs careful and prompt diagnosis and earliest intervention. COVID-19, being a disease that involves multiple systems, and presentation of the disease may eventually lead to circulatory dysfunction and hence should be kept under consideration.
Subject(s)
COVID-19 , Empyema, Pleural , Adult , Empyema, Pleural/diagnosis , Empyema, Pleural/etiology , Empyema, Pleural/therapy , Hospitalization , Humans , Male , SARS-CoV-2 , Thoracotomy/adverse effectsABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: With the ongoing coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, along with the development of new mutations of the virus and an increase in the number of cases among pediatrics, physicians should be aware and alerted on the atypical presentations of the disease, especially in less expected individuals. CASE PRESENTATION: Here we present a 12-year-old obese boy (BMI = 37.5 kg/m2) who presented with empyema, which was following SARS-CoV-2 infection. The patient had no history of fever. Due to the onset of dyspnea, a chest tube was inserted for him which was later altered to a pleural drainage needle catheter. CONCLUSION: Our case is the first report of COVID-19 presenting as empyema among pediatrics. Pleural empyema should be considered as a rare complication of COVID-19. Since there is still no guideline in the management of empyema in the context of COVID-19, delay in diagnosis and intervention may cause morbidity and mortality in children.
Subject(s)
COVID-19 , Empyema, Pleural , Pediatrics , Child , Empyema, Pleural/diagnosis , Empyema, Pleural/etiology , Empyema, Pleural/therapy , Humans , Male , Obesity , SARS-CoV-2ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: As the Coronavirus Disease 2019 pandemic continues, appropriate management of thoracic complications from Coronavirus Disease 2019 needs to be determined. Our objective is to evaluate which complications occurring in patients with Coronavirus Disease 2019 require thoracic surgery and to report the early outcomes. METHODS: This study is a single-institution retrospective case series at New York University Langone Health Manhattan campus evaluating patients with confirmed Coronavirus Disease 2019 infection who were hospitalized and required thoracic surgery from March 13 to July 18, 2020. RESULTS: From March 13 to August 8, 2020, 1954 patients were admitted to New York University Langone Health for Coronavirus Disease 2019. Of these patients, 13 (0.7%) required thoracic surgery. Two patients (15%) required surgery for complicated pneumothoraces, 5 patients (38%) underwent pneumatocele resection, 1 patient (8%) had an empyema requiring decortication, and 5 patients (38%) developed a hemothorax that required surgery. Three patients (23%) died after surgery, 9 patients (69%) were discharged, and 1 patient (8%) remains in the hospital. No healthcare providers were positive for Coronavirus Disease 2019 after the surgeries. CONCLUSIONS: Given the 77% survival, with a majority of patients already discharged from the hospital, thoracic surgery is feasible for the small percent of patients hospitalized with Coronavirus Disease 2019 who underwent surgery for complex pneumothorax, pneumatocele, empyema, or hemothorax. Our experience also supports the safety of surgical intervention for healthcare providers who operate on patients with Coronavirus Disease 2019.
Subject(s)
COVID-19/surgery , Empyema, Pleural/surgery , Hemothorax/surgery , Pandemics , Pneumothorax/surgery , Thoracic Surgical Procedures/methods , Adult , Aged , COVID-19/complications , COVID-19/epidemiology , Empyema, Pleural/diagnosis , Empyema, Pleural/etiology , Female , Follow-Up Studies , Hemothorax/diagnosis , Hemothorax/etiology , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , New York/epidemiology , Pneumothorax/diagnosis , Pneumothorax/etiology , RNA, Viral/analysis , Retrospective Studies , SARS-CoV-2/genetics , Tomography, X-Ray Computed , Treatment OutcomeABSTRACT
We report the first surgical series of patients developing pleural empyema after severe bilateral interstitial lung disease in confirmed severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection. The empyema results in a complex medical challenge that requires combination of medical therapies, mechanical ventilation and surgery. The chest drainage approach was not successful to relieve the symptomatology and to drain the excess fluid. After multidisciplinary discussion, a surgical approach was recommended. Even though decortication and pleurectomy are high-risk procedures, they must be considered as an option for pleural effusion in Coronavirus disease-positive patients. This is a life-treating condition, which can worsen the coronavirus disease manifestation and should be treated immediately to improve patient's status and chance of recovery.