Study Warns That COVID-19 Lung Complications Can Lead to Dangerous Air Leaks in the Chest
Nikhil Prasad Fact checked by:Thailand Medical News Team Jun 30, 2025 5 hours, 53 minutes ago
Thailand Medical News: Doctors in Romania have discovered that many COVID-19 patients are developing serious lung complications like pneumothorax (collapsed lung) and pneumomediastinum (air trapped in the chest cavity), and these conditions can significantly increase the risk of death. The study, conducted by researchers from the “Grigore T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy in Iași, Romania, looked at 100 patients who were infected with SARS-CoV-2 and developed these complications either upon hospital admission or during their stay.
Study Warns That COVID-19 Lung Complications Can Lead to Dangerous Air Leaks in the Chest
In this
Thailand Medical News report, we explore how these conditions—once thought rare—have now become more common in COVID-19 patients, especially those requiring oxygen therapy or mechanical ventilation. These issues can affect patients regardless of age, pre-existing lung problems, or smoking status.
Pneumothorax and Pneumomediastinum
Pneumothorax happens when air leaks out of the lung and fills the space between the lung and chest wall, causing the lung to collapse. Pneumomediastinum involves air escaping into the space between the lungs. Both can cause shortness of breath, chest pain, and in severe cases, even death.
The Romanian study found that these complications affected both ventilated and non-ventilated patients. Out of 100 patients studied, 57 had pneumothorax, and 43 had pneumomediastinum, with 26 experiencing both. Surprisingly, these complications often happened in people without any previous lung conditions, pointing to the damage COVID-19 itself can cause.
Key Findings and What They Mean for Patients
The patients were split into two groups. One group had pneumothorax or pneumomediastinum at admission, while the other developed the issues later during hospitalization. Results showed that patients who developed these problems later had worse outcomes. About 58% of those who developed these air leaks during their hospital stay died, compared to 25% who had them upon admission.
Older patients fared worse, with those above 70 having the highest death rates. Patients who died also had higher levels of inflammation, low oxygen levels, and more signs of heart and lung strain. They had increased levels of markers such as ferritin, LDH (lactate dehydrogenase), and cardiac enzymes, pointing to severe infection and body stress.
Interestingly, these complications were not always caused by mechanical ventilation, which is often blamed for lung injury. Some patients developed them even while breathing on their own or using mild oxygen therapy. This suggests that COVID-19 itself, not just the treatment, can damage lung tissue enough to cause leaks.
Chest Scans Critical in Diagnosis and Treatment
Chest X-rays and CT scans played a major role in spotting these problems. CT scans were especially useful in showing even small amounts of air in the chest. Many of these
patients also had subcutaneous emphysema, a condition where air gets trapped under the skin, causing swelling and a crackling sensation.
Doctors treated the conditions with chest drainage tubes in 36 patients, but this did not always improve survival. In many cases, conservative treatment (without surgery) was used, especially in those whose overall health was already too poor for invasive procedures.
Why This Matters Going Forward
This research shows that pneumothorax and pneumomediastinum are serious but underrecognized threats in COVID-19 care. Even in patients without prior lung disease, the virus can cause enough damage to allow air to escape into places it shouldn't be. Early chest imaging, close monitoring, and quick action can be life-saving.
The researchers call for hospitals to develop better protocols to catch these conditions early and tailor treatment to each patient’s situation. They also recommend ventilator settings that lower the risk of pressure-related lung injuries.
This study highlights the need for ongoing vigilance in managing COVID-19, even in the recovery stages, as some complications may appear later in the illness.
The study findings were published in the peer reviewed journal: Medicina.
https://www.mdpi.com/1648-9144/61/7/1182
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Read Also:
https://www.thailandmedical.news/news/covid-19-news-uk-study-shows-that-a-significant-number-of-hospitalized-covid-19-patients-suffer-from-pneumothorax-or-punctured-lung
https://www.thailandmedical.news/news/covid-19-news-more-case-reports-emerging-of-covid-19-patients-manifesting-pneumomediastinum-or-mediastinal-emphysema
https://www.thailandmedical.news/news/spanish-study-shows-persistent-pulmonary-abnormalities-even-at-18-months-after-sars-cov-2-pneumonia
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