Spontaneous Pneumomediastinum, Pneumothorax, and Subcutaneous Emphysema Complicating H1N1 Virus Infection

Korean J Med > Volume 80(2); 2011 > Article

Original Article

The Korean Journal of Medicine 2011;80(2):209-213.

Spontaneous Pneumomediastinum, Pneumothorax, and Subcutaneous Emphysema Complicating H1N1 Virus Infection

So Young Park, Min-Gang Kim, Eun Ji Kim, Ju-Seok Kim, Young-Seok Kwon, Yong-Min Kim, Sunghoon Park

자발성 기종격동, 기흉, 피하기종을 동반한 신종 인플루엔자 감염 1예

박소영, 김민강, 김은지, 김주석, 권영석, 김용민, 박성훈

Abstract

Since April 2009, outbreaks of the new influenza A (H1N1) virus have occurred worldwide. The spectrum of disease caused by H1N1 infection ranges from non-febrile, mild upper respiratory tract illness to severe or fatal pneumonia. Rapidly progressive respiratory diseases, such as acute respiratory distress syndrome and renal or multi-organ failure, have accounted for severely affected inpatients. Complex cases involving myocarditis, encephalitis, and myositis have been described. However, pulmonary air-leak syndrome, consisting of spontaneous pneumomediastinal emphysema, pneumothorax, and subcutaneous emphysema complicating pneumonia with the H1N1 virus, has not previously been reported in Korea. Here, we report a case of pulmonary air-leak syndrome complicating H1N1 infection that was resolved with an antiviral agent, high-flow oxygen, and fluid therapy.

Key Words: H1N1 influenza virus; Pneumomediastinal emphysema; Pneumothorax; Subcutaneous emphysema