COVID-19, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and Pneumothorax: A Frightening Triad

  • Erika Poggiali Emergency Department, Guglielmo da Saliceto Hospital, Piacenza, Italy
  • Andrea Vercelli Emergency Department, Guglielmo da Saliceto Hospital, Piacenza, Italy
  • Teresa Iannicelli Ospedale Guglielmo da Saliceto, Emergency Department, Piacenza, Italy
  • Valentina Tinelli Ospedale Guglielmo da Saliceto, Emergency Department, Piacenza, Italy
  • Laura Celoni Ospedale Guglielmo da Saliceto, Emergency Department, Piacenza, Italy
  • Andrea Magnacavallo Ospedale Guglielmo da Saliceto, Emergency Department, Piacenza, Italy
DOI: https://doi.org/10.12890/2020_001742

Keywords

COVID-19, pneumonia, dyspnoea, pneumothorax, COPD, ARDS

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.

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    • Published: 2020-06-01

    Issue: Vol 7 No 7 (view)

    Section: Articles

    How to cite:
    1.
    Poggiali E, Vercelli A, Iannicelli T, Tinelli V, Celoni L, Magnacavallo A. COVID-19, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and Pneumothorax: A Frightening Triad. EJCRIM 2020;7 doi:10.12890/2020_001742.

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