[Successful conservative treatment after accidental stab wound to the chest].
A five year-old girl was admitted to hospital following an accidental stab wound to the chest, inflicted by a knife placed in a dishwasher's cutlery tray. Investigations revealed a traumatic ventricular septum defect of the heart, with a pericardial effusion. Since the patient remained haemodynamically stable, surgical intervention was considered unnecessary. At the first follow-up, an echocardiogram showed no visible pericardial effusion. At ten month follow-up, she showed initial symptoms of cardiac failure, and a renewed echocardiogram revealed a new pericardial effusion. It is important to perform long-term follow-up on patients with traumatic chest wounds.
Panum Instituttet, Blegdamsvej 3, København. stian.waersted@gmail.com
Stian
S
Wærsted
Katrine
K
Schou-Jensen
Tim
T
Jensen
Jesper
J
Steensberg
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002648:Child; D018618:Echocardiography, Doppler, Color; D005260:Female; D005440:Fluid Therapy; D006801:Humans; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D054088:Ventricular Septum / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000293:injuries*; D014951:Wounds, Stab / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents