Possible Complication Pneumothorax of in COVID-19

Abstract

Two male patients, 57 and 58 years old, were evaluated in our emergency department. The complaints of cough that had been continuing for 1 week was at the forefront in their histories. Diarrhea and fever accompanied. In both patients, the complaint of shortness of breath increased significantly in the last 6 hours. Although 20lt/min oxygen was given to hypoxemic patients, SpO2 values were in the range of 80% to 84%. Despite oxygen supplementation, the current sinus tachycardia (140bpm) did not improve. In the thorax x-ray evaluations which were performed immediately, it was seen that both patients had pneumothorax covering the entire left hemithorax. The patients were connected to the underwater drainage system by inserting a chest tube. In clinical radiological follow-up, pneumothorax regressed and lung parenchyma was re-expanded in both cases. A contralateral pneumothorax occurred in the second patient. Conditions observed in these cases show that pneumothorax can be caused by Covid-19 and may be mortal. Pneumothorax should be kept in mind in the presence of severe dyspnea, hypoxia and tachycardia when suddenly added to the clinic. Both patients died in their second week of intensive care unit treatment.