[Spontaneous pneumopericardium. Review of the literature apropos of 2 cases in the young adult].
Pneumopericardium is defined as the presence of air in the pericardial cavity. It is a rare condition in adults, usually due to trauma; it is commoner in the more exposed neonate and usually iatrogenic. The clinical presentation of chest pain and shortness of breath is associated with the pathognomonic auscultatory sign described by Bricheteau: a water-mill bruit. The diagnosis is confirmed by chest X-ray which shows the air-gap sign surrounding the cardiac silhouette. The principal differential diagnosis is a pneumomediastinum. The prognosis of pneumopericardium depends on the cause and complications of which tamponade and infection are the most serious and potentially life-threatening. The treatment of pneumopericardium is bed rest and surveillance when uncomplicated: evacuation of the air becomes necessary when complications set in.
Taupin
J M
JM
Service de cardiologie, hôpital Robert-Debré, Reims.
Laudinat
J M
JM
Pollet
E
E
Metz
D
D
Chapoutot
L
L
Fellinger
F
F
Dickele
M C
MC
Bajolet
A
A
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002305:Cardiac Tamponade / Q000209:etiology; D002637:Chest Pain / Q000209:etiology; D004452:Echocardiography; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011027:Pneumoperitoneum / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D013902:Radiography, Thoracic