Indian Journal of Respiratory Care (Jun 2023)

Pneumomediastinum, Pneumothorax, and Subcutaneous Emphysema in COVID-19 Patients: A Monocentric Cohort Study

  • Youssef Motiaa,
  • Rim Essaoud,
  • Mohammed T Bennani,
  • Abdellah Darraz,
  • Lamyae Y Martahe,
  • Mohammed Aabdi,
  • Siham A Rachidi,
  • Ounci Es-saad,
  • Smael Labib,
  • Hicham Sbai

DOI
https://doi.org/10.5005/jp-journals-11010-1048
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 12, no. 2
pp. 146 – 150

Abstract

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Background: Pneumomediastinum (PMD) and pneumothorax (PNO) associated with subcutaneous emphysema (SCE) were described as complications of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pneumonia. Macklin effect and diffuse alveolar damage due to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) are the main implicated pathophysiological mechanisms. These complications are associated with hyperinflammation reactions leading to a high-risk of morbidity and mortality. The aim of this article is to describe our series of COVID-19 patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) and conventional hospitalization. Materials and methods: We conducted a retrospective study in Duc de Tovar and Mohammed VI hospitals in Tangier, Morocco, that included all COVID-19 patients hospitalized from 14th March 2020 to 21st March 2021 who developed on admission or during their hospital stay a PMD, a PNO, and or an SCE. Results: Of 216,96 patients who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2, 25 were included and analyzed. The median age was 59-year-old (49–65.5) with male predominance. Diabetes and cardiovascular diseases were the most encountered comorbidities. Our patients were critically ill with a median respiratory rate of 30 breaths/minute, a median oxygen saturation of 77%, and a median lung damage of 60% (30, 75) of the pulmonary parenchyma. Laboratory investigations showed various abnormalities [high levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), ferritin, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), neutrophils/lymphocytes ratio, D-dimers, and low levels of lymphocytes], which are independent risk factors of mortality. Some of these factors allowed for predicting the development of these complications. Conclusion: Pneumomediastinum (PMD) in COVID-19 patients reflects diffuse alveolar damage due to hyperinflammation. It can be isolated or associated with PNO and/or SCE. These complications were reported in most seriously-ill COVID-19 patients. Comparative studies are needed to identify predictive and prognosis factors.

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