Tension Pneumomediastinum in COVID-19 ARDS Patient Managed with Percutaneous Ultrasound-guided Catheter Insertion: A Case Report

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Tension pneumomediastinum is a condition in which there is a trapping of air in the mediastinum with a resultant increase in the pressure causing compression of the great vessels which leads to decreased venous return and cardiovascular collapse. It is a rare and severe form of pulmonary barotrauma in ICU ventilated patients which can lead to refractory hypotension and death if not addressed at the right time. Case description A 42-year-old man with no known comorbidities referred to our centre in view of severe COVID ARDS with refractory hypoxemia. Endotracheally intubated and put on ventilatory support. Developed shock not responding to fluid resuscitation and was started on IV vasopressor infusion. CT chest revealed tension pneumomediastinum. The patient continued to worsen clinically with hypotension and hypoxia despite low PEEP and high FiO2 ventilation. So bedside USG-guided pigtail catheter was inserted into the anterior mediastinum using a modified Seldinger technique following which there was a rapid clinical improvement. Conclusion: Tension pneumomediastinum is a rare and life-threatening cause of refractory hypotension and hypoxia in mechanically ventilated ARDS patients and bedside ultrasound-guided intervention is a feasible and quick therapeutic option. Highlights A review of the literature showed very few case reports of tension pneumomediastinum in mechanical ventilated ARDS patients. Because ultrasound of the chest gives air artefacts and poor visualization in patients with pneumomediastinum and subcutaneous emphysema, CT-guided drainage catheters insertion is the standard of care. But in a very sick ICU patient, bedside ultrasound-guided catheter insertion could be a safe and immediate measure to save a patient's life. To our knowledge, this is the first case report of an adult ARDS patient with tension pneumomediastinum managed with bedside ultrasound-guided catheter insertion.