Life-threatening pneumothorax after release from isolation with COVID-19 pneumonia.
Radiol Case Rep
; 18(3): 903-906, 2023 Mar.
Article
in English
| MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-2165784
ABSTRACT
Pneumothorax was previously considered as a complication of severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pneumonia. However, it is now known that pneumothorax can develop in other cases. Here, we describe the case of a patient who developed tension pneumothorax after release from isolation from COVID-19 pneumonia. The patient was admitted to our hospital with severe COVID-19 pneumonia on the 10th day after onset. Ventilatory management was carried out on the first day of admission; however, the patient was weaned off the next day. The treatment course was uneventful. On the morning of discharge from the hospital, the patient experienced sudden dyspnea. Chest radiography revealed a large left-tension pneumothorax with a mediastinal shift to the right. As this finding required immediate attention, a chest tube was inserted. Chest computed tomography (CT) showed an airspace in the left thoracic cavity and subpleural thin-walled cystic lesions, such as bullae in the left lobe. One month later, chest CT showed resolution of the cystic lesions. The development of pneumothorax in COVID-19 pneumonia should be considered not only in cases of severe illness, but also after release from isolation. Recently, revisions to measures against COVID-19 have been considered worldwide, including shortening of the isolation period and reviewing the identification of all cases. This is an educational report demonstrating that life-threatening pneumothorax may develop after release from isolation due to COVID-19 pneumonia.
Full text:
Available
Collection:
International databases
Database:
MEDLINE
Type of study:
Case report
/
Prognostic study
Language:
English
Journal:
Radiol Case Rep
Year:
2023
Document Type:
Article
Affiliation country:
J.radcr.2022.11.075
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