Case series of pneumothorax in patients with COVID 19 pneumonia

ABSTRACT

Background: Pneumothorax has been noted to be a complication of covid19 pneumonia caused by SARSCOV2 requiring hospitalization and increasing mortality. Case Study A series of 10 cases of spontaneous pneumothorax in patients with covid19 pneumonia either RTPCR positive or radiological positive admitted into a tertiary care centre from April 2021 to September 2021. Discussion: Of 10 cases of pneumothorax, 8 were confirmed covid19 positive by RTPCR and 2 were radiologically diagnosed based on CT imaging. None of them had previous lung disease, 2 were smokers and 1 had prolonged biomass fuel exposure. 3 of them were kept on NIV support and others required oxygen with facemask. All patients had moderate to severe disease with bilateral GGOs. All of them had acute onset of chest pain, drop in saturation and increased respiratory rate. All the patients were managed with ICD insertion and oxygen supplementation. Out 10 patients, 5 patients had favorable outcome and discharged and death occurred in 5 patients. Conclusion: Acute deterioration in a patient with covid19 pneumonia indicate a pneumothorax which may occur even in the absence of pre-existing lung disease and mechanical ventilation. Early diagnosis and management of this complication is necessary to prevent the risk of mortality.