A Rare Case of Pneumomediastinum Due to Prolonged Use of N95 Facemasks During the Covıd-19 Pandemic

Abstract

This case and literature study aim to highlight a rare cause of pneumomediastinum in a health professional due to the long-term use of an N95 facemask during the pandemic. In our case, a twenty-eight-year-old female patient with mild intermittent asthma was presented to the emergency room with stinging pain in the anterior chest wall and parasternal areas. Laboratory tests and chest x-ray showed no significance, but pneumomediastinum was present on chest computed tomography. Pneumomediastinum is a rare complication in asthmatic patients. However, events that may cause alveolar and intrabronchial pressure increases can lead to pneumomediastinum. In conclusion, increased airway pressure due to prolonged use of N95 facemasks can lead to pneumomediastinum.

Our case is the first presented case in literature due to the development of pneumomediastinum in a health professional caused by the long-term use of N95 facemasks worn as personal protective equipment for Covid-19. Chest computed tomography imaging was sufficient for the differential diagnosis in our case with a normal chest radiogram. Physicians should consider that a health professional could develop pneumomediastinum after the long-term use of an N95 facemask, and a chest computed tomography scan is sufficient in diagnosing these cases