Traumatic tension pneumopericardium: a case report and literature review.
A 39-year-old male arrived in the emergency department with multiple stab wounds to the chest. A pneumopericardium was present on initial chest x-ray study. He subsequently developed hypotension, tachycardia, an elevated CVP (36 cm H2O) and a pulsus paradoxus. All parameters improved following removal of 100 cc of air by pericardiocentesis. The etiology, diagnosis, pathophysiology, and treatment of tension pneumopericardium are discussed.
D000328:Adult; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011026:Pneumopericardium / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D011379:Prognosis; D011859:Radiography; D013898:Thoracic Injuries / Q000150:complications*; D014951:Wounds, Stab / Q000150:complications*