Spontaneous pneumopericardium due to exertion.
We report the unique case of a patient with an idiopathic pneumopericardium due to heavy lifting and discuss Valsalva's maneuver as a rare cause in the pathogenesis of pneumopericardium. Our patient recovered without treatment and had no recurrence of pneumopericardium during follow-up. All physicians should be aware of pneumopericardium as a possible cause of chest pain, especially when no trauma is visible. Pneumopericardium may also be an occasional complication of pneumothorax and pneunomediastinum.
Westermann
Gerald W
GW
Innere Medizin D, Medizinische Poliklinik, Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität Münster, Münster, Germany.
Suwelack
Barbara
B
D000328:Adult; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D005082:Physical Exertion; D011026:Pneumopericardium / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology*; D013902:Radiography, Thoracic; D012075:Remission, Spontaneous; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed