Medical Case Reports

Spontaneous Pneumomediastinum and Pneumopericardium in a Young Adult with COVID-19: A Case Report

Extrapulmonary air extravasation has been reported as a complication of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), although largely in patients on mechanical ventilation who experience pulmonary barotrauma. Simultaneous pneumomediastinum and pneumopericardium have seldom been reported, especially in patients without predisposing risk factors. We present the case of a previously healthy, 21-year-old male hospitalized for a COVID-19 infection who was found to have spontaneous pneumomediastinum and pneumopericardium on imaging. He required oxygen via face mask and had elevated inflammatory markers with significant pulmonary involvement but made a successful recovery. Pneumomediastinum and pneumopericardium have the potential to cause adverse outcomes such as cardiac tamponade and their impact in COVID-19 is not yet known, although preliminary research indicates it may predispose to worse outcomes. Awareness of this novel disease process could help elucidate its true prognostic value and inform a need for intervention. Overall, this case report adds to the growing body of evidence regarding COVID-19 and its extrapulmonary manifestations.

Author(s):

Tess N. Engel*, Nilang N. Shah and Michael Kwong

Abstract | Full-Text | PDF

Share this