Occult pneumomediastinum in a SARS patient presenting as recurrent chest pain and acute ECG changes mimicking acute coronary syndrome

Respirology. 2004 Jun;9(2):271-3. doi: 10.1111/j.1440-1843.2004.00569.x.

Abstract

Objective: Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) is a newly emergent disease due to a novel coronavirus, which caused outbreaks worldwide.

Methodology: We report a SARS patient who had developed recurrent chest pain and acute T-wave inversion over the precordial leads on electrocardiography (ECG).

Results: She developed progressive subcutaneous emphysema a few days later. Her CXR showed features suggestive of pneumomediastinum, which was confirmed by high-resolution CT scan of the thorax.

Conclusion: Pneumomediastinum should be considered in SARS patients as a possible cause of chest pain and ECG changes that mimic acute coronary syndrome.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Acute Disease
  • Chest Pain / etiology*
  • Electrocardiography
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Mediastinal Emphysema / complications
  • Mediastinal Emphysema / diagnosis*
  • Mediastinal Emphysema / diagnostic imaging
  • Middle Aged
  • Myocardial Infarction / diagnosis*
  • Radiography
  • Recurrence
  • Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome / complications*
  • Syndrome