Open AccessCOVID-19, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and Pneumothorax: A Frightening Triad
Author(s) -
Erika Poggiali,
Andrea Vercelli,
Teresa Iannicelli,
Valentina Tinelli,
Laura Celoni,
Andrea Magnacavallo
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
european journal of case reports in internal medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.125
H-Index - 1
ISSN - 2284-2594
DOI - 10.12890/2020_001742
Subject(s) - medicine , pneumothorax , ards , copd , pneumonia , covid-19 , diffuse alveolar damage , respiratory distress , interstitial lung disease , lung , disease , surgery , acute respiratory distress , infectious disease (medical specialty)
We describe the case of a male patient admitted to our emergency department during the Italian COVID-19 epidemic, for progressive worsening dyspnoea. A diagnosis of pneumothorax and diffuse interstitial lung involvement was promptly made by lung ultrasound and confirmed by an HRCT scan. A chest CT scan also showed diffuse emphysema, as observed in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and small consolidations in the lower lobes, suggestive for COVID-19 pneumonia. A chest tube was immediately inserted in the emergency room with complete resolution of the dyspnoea. A nasopharyngeal swab for 2019-nCoV was positive. Unfortunately, the patient died from COVID-19-related acute respiratory distress syndrome after 48 days of hospitalization.