Pneumopericardium due to intrapericardial perforation of a gastric ulcer.
A 88-year-old male patient presented with fever, singultus and retrosternal pain. After 8 days of antibiotic therapy not resulting in clinical improvement, he suddenly developed a pneumopericardium. Contrast swallow and endoscopy showed intrapericardial perforation of a benign gastric ulcer. Excision of the ulcer and suturing of both the stomach and the diaphragm as well as lavage of the pericardium were done over a left thoracotomy. The patient recovered uneventfully.
Gabor
S
S
Department of Thoracic and Hyperbaric Surgery, University Medical School of Graz, Auenbruggerplatz 29, A-8036 Graz, Austria. sabine.gabor@kfunigraz.ac.at
Woltsche
M
M
Maier
A
A
Smolle-Jüttner
F M
FM
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003964:Diaphragm / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010439:Peptic Ulcer Perforation / Q000150:complications* / Q000601:surgery; D011026:Pneumopericardium / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery; D013276:Stomach Ulcer / Q000150:complications* / Q000601:surgery