An unusual cause of pneumomediastinum and acute respiratory distress syndrome

Abstract Background Progressive acute respiratory failure with Mycobacterium tuberculosis (TB) in immunocompetent individuals is rare, and if detected early, diagnosis and treatment dilemmas can be limited. We report here a unique case of respiratory failure due to tubercular spontaneous pneumomedia...

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Main Authors: U. Pratap, M. Ravindrachari, L. Sneha, G. Vishnukanth
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: SpringerOpen 2022-05-01
Series:The Egyptian Journal of Bronchology
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s43168-022-00134-w
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author U. Pratap
M. Ravindrachari
L. Sneha
G. Vishnukanth
author_facet U. Pratap
M. Ravindrachari
L. Sneha
G. Vishnukanth
author_sort U. Pratap
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background Progressive acute respiratory failure with Mycobacterium tuberculosis (TB) in immunocompetent individuals is rare, and if detected early, diagnosis and treatment dilemmas can be limited. We report here a unique case of respiratory failure due to tubercular spontaneous pneumomediastinum complicated by acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Case presentation A 24-year-old male of low socioeconomic background presented with shortness of breath, dry cough, and fever for 7 days, which was accompanied by weight loss and a reduced appetite. The patient had tachypnea and hypoxemia (SpO2 = 86%). The patient’s condition deteriorated (SpO2 = 72% with 12 L min−1of O2 delivered using a non-rebreather mask), and he was intubated using a lung-protective approach with a tidal volume of 350 mL (6 mL kg−1), positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) of 5 cm H2O, RR of 20 cycles/min, a flow rate of 35 L min−1, and FiO2 of 0.6. High-resolution computer tomography of the thorax showed multilobar consolidation, pneumomediastinum, and extensive subcutaneous emphysema with left-sided pneumothorax. Subsequently, a left-sided tube thoracostomy was carried out. The PaO2/FiO2 (P/F) ratio immediately after intubation was 130 and rose to 170 post-thoracostomy, which was suggestive of moderate ARDS. Bacterial and fungal colonies detected from the blood and endotracheal aspirate were normal. However, for the endotracheal aspirate, the cartridge-based nucleic acid amplification test (CBNAAT) detected TB with no rifampicin resistance. The patient was started on anti-tubercular therapy (ATT). Despite ATT, the patient developed circulatory shock and died after 4 days. Conclusions In young patients with acute spontaneous pneumomediastinum and ARDS, TB infection should be considered during initial diagnostics. This consideration may lead to timely treatments and improved patient survival.
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spelling doaj.art-d1e20c7a8e964d9896205c1b75fa24302022-12-22T00:36:17ZengSpringerOpenThe Egyptian Journal of Bronchology1687-84262314-85512022-05-011611310.1186/s43168-022-00134-wAn unusual cause of pneumomediastinum and acute respiratory distress syndromeU. Pratap0M. Ravindrachari1L. Sneha2G. Vishnukanth3Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education & Research (JIPMER)Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education & Research (JIPMER)Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education & Research (JIPMER)Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education & Research (JIPMER)Abstract Background Progressive acute respiratory failure with Mycobacterium tuberculosis (TB) in immunocompetent individuals is rare, and if detected early, diagnosis and treatment dilemmas can be limited. We report here a unique case of respiratory failure due to tubercular spontaneous pneumomediastinum complicated by acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Case presentation A 24-year-old male of low socioeconomic background presented with shortness of breath, dry cough, and fever for 7 days, which was accompanied by weight loss and a reduced appetite. The patient had tachypnea and hypoxemia (SpO2 = 86%). The patient’s condition deteriorated (SpO2 = 72% with 12 L min−1of O2 delivered using a non-rebreather mask), and he was intubated using a lung-protective approach with a tidal volume of 350 mL (6 mL kg−1), positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) of 5 cm H2O, RR of 20 cycles/min, a flow rate of 35 L min−1, and FiO2 of 0.6. High-resolution computer tomography of the thorax showed multilobar consolidation, pneumomediastinum, and extensive subcutaneous emphysema with left-sided pneumothorax. Subsequently, a left-sided tube thoracostomy was carried out. The PaO2/FiO2 (P/F) ratio immediately after intubation was 130 and rose to 170 post-thoracostomy, which was suggestive of moderate ARDS. Bacterial and fungal colonies detected from the blood and endotracheal aspirate were normal. However, for the endotracheal aspirate, the cartridge-based nucleic acid amplification test (CBNAAT) detected TB with no rifampicin resistance. The patient was started on anti-tubercular therapy (ATT). Despite ATT, the patient developed circulatory shock and died after 4 days. Conclusions In young patients with acute spontaneous pneumomediastinum and ARDS, TB infection should be considered during initial diagnostics. This consideration may lead to timely treatments and improved patient survival.https://doi.org/10.1186/s43168-022-00134-wTuberculosisPneumomediastinumAcute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS)Subcutaneous emphysema
spellingShingle U. Pratap
M. Ravindrachari
L. Sneha
G. Vishnukanth
An unusual cause of pneumomediastinum and acute respiratory distress syndrome
The Egyptian Journal of Bronchology
Tuberculosis
Pneumomediastinum
Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS)
Subcutaneous emphysema
title An unusual cause of pneumomediastinum and acute respiratory distress syndrome
title_full An unusual cause of pneumomediastinum and acute respiratory distress syndrome
title_fullStr An unusual cause of pneumomediastinum and acute respiratory distress syndrome
title_full_unstemmed An unusual cause of pneumomediastinum and acute respiratory distress syndrome
title_short An unusual cause of pneumomediastinum and acute respiratory distress syndrome
title_sort unusual cause of pneumomediastinum and acute respiratory distress syndrome
topic Tuberculosis
Pneumomediastinum
Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS)
Subcutaneous emphysema
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s43168-022-00134-w
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