COVID-19 Presenting with Spontaneous Pneumothorax

J Coll Physicians Surg Pak. 2021 Jan;31(1):S29-S31. doi: 10.29271/jcpsp.2021.Supp1.S29.

Abstract

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The disease mainly affects respiratory system. Its common clinical findings include fever, cough and shortness of breath. Characteristic radiological features of the disease include peripherally distributed, bilateral ground-glass opacities, predominantly involving the lower lung zones. In this report, we present a case of COVID-19 disease presenting with spontaneous pneumothorax. A 26-year male patient was admitted to the Emergency Department with fever, dry cough, shortness of breath and right-sided chest pain. Radiographic imaging of the patient revealed pneumothorax on the right and peripherally distributed non-homogenous opacification. The patient underwent right lateral tube thoracostomy. COVID-19 was diagnosed on testing of nasopharyngeal swab. In conclusion, spontaneous pneumothorax is one of the rare presentations of COVID-19 pneumonia and should be kept in mind in patients presenting with shortness of breath and chest pain. Key Words: Spontaneous pneumothorax, Corona, pneumonia.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • COVID-19*
  • Chest Tubes
  • Dyspnea / etiology
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Pneumothorax* / diagnostic imaging
  • Pneumothorax* / etiology
  • SARS-CoV-2