Isolated pneumopericardium after blunt chest trauma

Authors

  • Gonçalo Guidi Department of General Surgery, Centro Hospitalar de Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro EPE, Vila Real, Portugal
  • Silvia Silva Department of General Surgery, Centro Hospitalar de Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro EPE, Vila Real, Portugal
  • Joao Pinto-de-Sousa Department of General Surgery, Centro Hospitalar de Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro EPE, Vila Real, Portugal
  • Fernado Prospero-Luis Department of General Surgery, Centro Hospitalar de Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro EPE, Vila Real, Portugal
  • Ricardo Vaz-Pereira Department of General Surgery, Centro Hospitalar de Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro EPE, Vila Real, Portugal
  • Urania Fernandes Department of General Surgery, Centro Hospitalar de Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro EPE, Vila Real, Portugal
  • Daniela Martins Department of General Surgery, Centro Hospitalar de Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro EPE, Vila Real, Portugal
  • Clara Leal Department of General Surgery, Centro Hospitalar de Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro EPE, Vila Real, Portugal
  • Bruno Vieira Department of General Surgery, Centro Hospitalar de Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro EPE, Vila Real, Portugal
  • Francisca Freitas Department of General Surgery, Centro Hospitalar de Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro EPE, Vila Real, Portugal
  • Carolina Marques Department of General Surgery, Centro Hospitalar de Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro EPE, Vila Real, Portugal

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18203/2349-2902.isj20220952

Keywords:

Pneumopericardium, Blunt chest trauma

Abstract

Pneumopericardium after blunt chest trauma it’s a very rare entity in adults, usually seen in association with pneumothorax or pneumomediastinum. When isolated, it’s believed to be caused by the Macklin effect. Generally, it’s a benign, self-limiting condition requiring no additional therapy. However, it must be recognized because an increase in intrapulmonary pressure (example- intubation) can lead to a tension pneumopericardium or cardiac tamponade.

References

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Published

2022-03-28

Issue

Section

Case Reports