SARS-COV2 Pneumonia Revealed by Extensive Subcutaneous Emphysema

Abstract

Spontaneous subcutaneous emphysema (SCE), pneumomediastinum, and pneumothorax in nonventilated COVID-19 patients are being increasingly recognized as complications of COVID-19 pneumonia. We report a case of a young man with no predisposing risk factors for pneumothorax who was diagnosed with a severe acute respiratory syndrome-COV2 pneumonitis revealed by extensive SCE with fatal outcome. Computed tomography of the thorax, abdomen, and pelvis revealed a diffuse lung injury, a pneumothorax, and pneumomediastinum. These complications of COVID-19 pneumonia may be associated with poor prognosis.