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Lung CT Segmentation to Identify Consolidations and Ground Glass Areas for Quantitative Assesment of SARS-CoV Pneumonia
Published on: December 19, 2020
COVID-19, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and Pneumothorax: A Frightening Triad
Erika Poggiali1, Andrea Vercelli1, Teresa Iannicelli1
1Emergency Department, Guglielmo da Saliceto Hospital, Piacenza, Italy.
Abstract:
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.
Learning Points:
Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) can cause death from severe acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS).Pneumothorax is a common complication of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).The combination of COVID-19, COPD and pneumothorax can prove fatal.
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