COVID-19 and pneumothorax: a multicentre retrospective case series

Area of Science:

• Pulmonary Medicine
• Infectious Diseases
• Critical Care

Background:

• Pneumothorax and pneumomediastinum are known complications in hospitalized coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients.
• This study presents the largest case series to date, including nonventilated patients, of these concurrent pathologies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To report on the largest case series of patients with both pneumothorax and pneumomediastinum secondary to COVID-19.
• To analyze clinical management, demographics, and survival outcomes in this patient cohort.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective collection of cases from UK hospitals between March and June 2020.
• Inclusion criteria: diagnosis of COVID-19 with either pneumothorax or pneumomediastinum.
• Data collected included demographics, radiology, laboratory results, clinical management, and survival.

Main Results:

• 71 patients from 16 centers were included; 60 had pneumothoraces and 11 had pneumomediastinum.
• Pneumothorax incidence was higher in males, but 28-day survival did not differ by sex.
• Patients aged 70 years or older had significantly lower 28-day survival compared to younger individuals.

Conclusions:

• Pneumothorax is a recognized complication of COVID-19.
• Pneumothorax does not appear to be an independent predictor of poor prognosis.
• Continuation of active clinical treatment for these complications is recommended.