Spontaneous Pneumothorax, Pneumomediastinum, and Subcutaneous Emphysema: Rare Complications in COVID-19 Pneumonia

COVID-19 pneumonia has several complications, such as acute respiratory distress syndrome, septic shock, myocarditis, pulmonary embolism, and thromboembolic stroke. We present a case of a 71-year-old woman who was diagnosed with COVID-19 pneumonia and was found to have a pneumothorax, spontaneous pneumomediastinum (SPM), and subcutaneous emphysema without a history of lung disease. The pathophysiology of SPM and subcutaneous emphysema is likely caused by rupture of the alveolar membrane due to direct damage by COVID-19 infection and frequent cough-induced barotrauma.

Cite this article as: Anjum I, Fatima Almani N, Zia U. Spontaneous pneumothorax, pneumomediastinum, and subcutaneous emphysema: Rare complications in COVID-19 pneumonia. Turk Thorac J. 2021; 22(6): 507-509.