Open AccessIsolated pneumomediastinum in severe category COVID-19 patients admitted in ICU: a case series
Author(s) -
Nazia Nazir,
Anand Saxena
Publication year - 2022
Publication title -
ain shams journal of anesthesiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2090-925X
pISSN - 1687-7934
DOI - 10.1186/s42077-022-00235-0
Subject(s) - pneumomediastinum , medicine , subcutaneous emphysema , complication , intubation , respiratory distress , pneumonia , presentation (obstetrics) , pediatrics , surgery , intensive care medicine
Background Pneumomediastinum is a rare complication associated with acute respiratory distress syndrome secondary to other viral pneumonias. However, it has been on a rise in COVID-19 patients with severe disease. Case presentation We present three cases to highlight that isolated pneumomediastinum can complicate the course of illness in patients on non-invasive ventilation. In our case series, two COVID-19 diagnosed cases with no previous history of intubation developed pneumomediastinum. They were managed conservatively with a successful outcome. The third patient developed PM with subcutaneous emphysema post-intubation, although managed conservatively succumbed to the disease. Conclusions Clinicians need to be alert to the development of such a complication in the event of sudden onset dyspnoea with chest pain. Conservative management, with low pressure settings on the ventilator results in gradual improvement of patient.