[Clinical case of the month. Spontaneous pneumopericardium after sternal dehiscence].
We report a case of pneumopericardium occuring after cardiac surgery. Pneumopericardium is a rare condition; trauma is the most frequent etiology. Nontraumatic causes include fistulae in relationship with the bronchial tree or oesophagus and intrapericardial gazeous production due to bacterial pericarditis. Pericardiocentesis is indicated in case of air tamponade and local infection.
Defresne
A
A
Service Réanimation-Anesthésie, CHU de Liège, Belgique.
Ghaye
B
B
Lando
A
A
Grenade
T
T
Massion
P
P
Canivet
J L
JL
D000368:Aged; D001026:Coronary Artery Bypass / Q000009:adverse effects; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011026:Pneumopericardium / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000150:complications; D013249:Sternum / Q000382:microbiology*; D013529:Surgical Wound Dehiscence / Q000150:complications* / Q000382:microbiology