SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia with large pneumothorax—a case report

Abstract The pandemic of severe acute respiratory virus (SARS-CoV-2) is characterized by respiratory symptoms with serious consequences, mainly associated with pneumonia and extreme ARDS. There is a lack of data about pneumothorax associated with COVID-19 infections in current literature. Radiological features in SARS-CoV-2 include subpleural bilateral ground-glass appearance and many areas of irregular consolidation in the lungs. We here present a case of SARS-CoV-2 that was complicated by acute pneumothorax, and despite prompt treatment, that patient could not be saved. A 55-years-old male with no previous lung disease or any other history confirmed to have SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia developed a large pneumothorax on the third day of his presentation and was immediately intubated via a chest tube but could not be saved. SARS-CoV-2 by RT-PCR was positive. The patient expired around 12 h after chest intubation. Recommended treatment could not be started yet as the patient expired before it could be decided.