COVID-19 pneumonia with pneumomediastinum

Case contributed by Ian Bickle
Diagnosis certain

Presentation

COVID-19 pneumonia with worsening breathlessness.

Patient Data

Age: 75 years
Gender: Male

6 days prior

x-ray

Subtle airspace changes peripherally in the mid and lower zones.

No pneumothorax, pneumomediastinum or pleural effusion.

2 days later Worsening...

x-ray

2 days later Worsening shortness of breath

Pneumomediastinum.

Surgical emphysema in the neck. No pneumothorax.

Bilateral peripheral consolidation, worse than on the prior radiograph.

Pneumomediastinum remains and evident along the left heart border.

Surgical emphysema in the neck. No pneumothorax.

Bilateral peripheral consolidation.

Case Discussion

This is a case of pneumomediastinum on background of COVID-19 pneumonia and most likely due to ventilator-related barotrauma 1.

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