Spontaneous pneumothorax associated with COVID-19 pneumonia: a single-centre retrospective study

Abstract

Spontaneous pneumothorax (SP) is a rare complication of COVID-19 pneumonia; it affects both intubated and non-intubated patients. The pathogenesis includes barotrauma and pneumatocele formation. In the following article, we present case series of 18 patients with COVID-19 associated pneumothorax -a detailed demographic and clinical analysis were performed. The study revealed that men were more affected than women, especially above the age of 55 years; whilst, the distribution of intubated patients and those with spontaneous breathing were equal. Importantly, tube thoracostomy was the preferred method of treatment. The lethal outcome was observed in all patients on mechanical ventilation, due to the severe course of the underlying disease. The occurrence of pneumothorax in patients with COVID-19 is associated with poorer outcome of the disease, especially in those placed on mechanical ventilation.