Pneumomediastinum as a Complication of SARS-CoV-2 Infection: Case Series

• Autor(a) principal: Gomes da Cunha, Joana
• Data de Publicação: 2023
• Outros Autores: Lopes, Andreia, Santos Almeida, Rita, Santos Pereira, Sofia, Veiga, Ricardo, Quental, Bárbara, Romão, Vera
• Tipo de documento: Artigo
• Idioma: por
• Título da fonte: Repositório Científico de Acesso Aberto de Portugal (Repositórios Cientìficos)
• Texto Completo: https://doi.org/10.24950/rspmi.2062
• topic: COVID-19/complicações; Pneumomediastino/etiologia; COVID-19/complications; Mediastinal Emphysema/etiology

Introduction: Even though pneumomediastinum cases are not frequent, it has been described as a non-negligible complication in patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection. According to the available literature at this moment, development of pneumomediastinum in patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection does not seem to be related to the classic mechanism of pulmonary barotrauma. This work aims to raise awareness of this nosological entity and its pathophysiology. Methods: The authors conducted a retrospective study ofall COVID-19 cases with pneumomediastinum between January and February 2021 in an Internal Medicine ward at a Central Hospital - analysis of their comorbidities, disease evolution, complications, and a review of the available literature. Results: From 400 patients admitted with COVID-19, in 2 months under study, 4 developed pneumomediastinum: allmale, aged between 68 and 81 years, with various comorbidities, mainly cardiovascular. All were subjected to non-invasive mechanical ventilation, with three of them additionally subjected to invasive mechanical ventilation. They evolved unfavorably and ended up dying. Conclusion: Pneumomediastinum, as a complication ofSARS-CoV-2 infection, proved to be very serious, with a negative outcome in all the identified patients. It is important to be aware of predisposing factors, for early diagnosis and timely intervention.