Spontaneous pneumomediastinum as a complication of COVID-19.

Abstract

In December 2019, an atypical form of severe pneumonia emerged in Wuhan in China's Hubei province, which in February 2020 was named COVID-19. The disease may have features of interstitial pneumonia and severe respiratory failure requiring intensive oxygen therapy. Spontaneous pneumomediastinum is a rare pathological condition with air in the mediastinum outside the trachea, oesophagus and bronchi. It is potentially life-threatening complication of both invasive and non-invasive mechanical ventilation. There have been reports that it may complicate the course of interstitial lung disease in the course of COVID-19. The report describes two cases of young patients who spontaneously developed this complication. Immediate diagnose is important in order to applicate adequate procedures.