title: Fatal pneumopericardium caused by SF6 gas infusion into the pleural space after pneumonectomy and pericardial resection.
abstract: A 63-year-old man with lung carcinoma underwent a right pneumonectomy and combined resection of the pericardium. Postoperatively, SF6 gas was introduced into the empty pleural space for the protection of excessive shift of heart and mediastinum, but a fatal pneumopericardium occurred. A rare but possible complication of cardiac tamponade after inert gas infusion in patients undergoing combined resection of pericardium is reported.
authors.affiliation: Division of Thoracic Surgery, School of Medicine, Fukuoka University, Japan.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Shirakusa
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D005459:Fluorides / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010496:Pericardium / Q000601:surgery; D011013:Pneumonectomy; D011026:Pneumopericardium / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D011859:Radiography; D013459:Sulfur Hexafluoride / Q000009:adverse effects*
chemical_list: D005459:Fluorides; D013459:Sulfur Hexafluoride