title: Delayed posttraumatic tamponade.
abstract: Delayed cardiac tamponade is a rare phenomenon with two primary causes: delayed hemorrhage after an acute injury or delayed pericarditis with effusion. We present a case of cardiac tamponade 4 weeks after injury, with findings compatible with delayed hemorrhage and pericarditis. Our case emphasizes the need for follow-up of patients with penetrating chest trauma for several months after injury; echocardiography should be used if symptoms of tamponade appear.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, University of South Alabama, Mobile, USA.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Bellanger
authors.forename: D J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Nikas
authors.forename: J E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Freeman
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Izenberg
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002305:Cardiac Tamponade / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011859:Radiography; D013898:Thoracic Injuries / Q000150:complications*; D014463:Ultrasonography; D014951:Wounds, Stab / Q000150:complications*