Subcutaneous emphysema, pneumomediastinum and pneumothorax in COVID-19 pneumonia-independent prognostic factors.

The ongoing coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic has created a substantial disease burden and morbidity. However, the development of subcutaneous emphysema, pneumomediastinum, and pneumothorax have been of rare occurrence and their significance in mortality has not been studied. In a retrospective single-institution observational study at a tertiary care centre in the northern part of India, we evaluated the occurrence of these complications and their relationship with mortality from 1 June 2020 to 30 November 2020. All coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients developing subcutaneous emphysema, pneumomediastinum, and pneumothorax were included. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation-induced complications were excluded. Measured endpoints were either discharge to home or death. There were 3145 COVID-19 patients admitted during the study period. Altogether, 38 patients developed one of these complications or in combination. There were 33 male and 5 female patients with an age range from 23 to 95 years, mean 57 ± 12.7. 36 of 38 patients developed these complications while on the ventilator and required chest drain insertions as a part of management. Two patients developed these complications while breathing spontaneously. The incidence of these complications among ventilated patients was 22.9% (36/157). 32 of 38 died giving a mortality of 84.21%. The average time from the development of these complications to death was 8.4 days (range 2-27 days). We conclude that lung changes in COVID-19 patients make them prone to the development of air leaks. Subcutaneous emphysema, pneumomediastinum, and pneumothorax were more common in ventilated patients but were also observed in spontaneously breathing patients. These complications were associated with significantly high mortality in COVID-19 patients (p-value = 0.0002 by Chi-square test).

Concurrent intrapericardial-pulmonary hydatidosis: an unusual multisystem echinococcosis.

A 46-year-old male presented with breathlessness for a few months. He had been operated twice for liver hydatid cysts and once for right pulmonary hydatid cysts at other hospitals. Now he was found to have one hydatid cyst in the upper lobe of the left lung and multiple hydatid cysts adjoining left heart border. On computed tomography (CT) scan chest and echocardiography, it was difficult to ascertain whether these cysts were pulmonary or intrapericardial. Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) was 25%. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was positive for hydatid. Left posterolateral thoracotomy revealed dead hydatid cyst in upper lobe of the lung that was removed. Infected mother hydatid cyst was encountered inside pericardial sac. Scores of daughter hydatid cysts, varying in size from 1 to 30 mm, were scooped out intact from the pericardial cavity. There was significant improvement in cardiac activity, once the tamponade effect of hydatid cyst was removed. Pericardium was about 1 cm thick with lot of purulent and necrotic slough. To prevent future constrictive pericarditis, subtotal pericardiectomy was done. Intrapericardial hydatid cyst should be kept in mind whenever it obscures the heart border and patient has features of cardiac tamponade. Early surgical intervention may be required in these cases.

Occult manubriosternal dislocation-role of manubrio-vertebral column.

Traumatic manubriosternal joint dislocation in blunt thoracic trauma is of rare occurrence with only few case reports in the literature. We present a rare case of occult manubriosternal dislocation that was evident only after cervico-dorsal spine fracture correction. Thirty-one-year-old gentleman sustained multiple fractures of C6, C7, and D1 vertebral bodies; bilateral transverse process of C7, D1,and D3; left transverse process of D12; right transverse process of D4; and right clavicle fracture along with bilateral multiple rib fractures after fall from bike at high velocity. The patient was awake, alert, and moving all 4 limbs. The patient underwent right chest drain insertion in high dependency unit. His displaced cervico-thoracic spine was fixed with plate and intrapedicular screws. It was after fixation of spine that type II manubriosternal dislocation was clinically appreciated. He underwent fixation of manubriosternal joint using simple steel wires. Post-operatively he remained pain-free with stable manubriosternal joint. Role of manubrio-vertebral column in such a scenario is discussed.