title: Occult Pericardial Tamponade Presenting With Altered Mental Status.
abstract: In the pediatric population, cardiac tamponade may present with altered mental status without any clear signs of trauma. Bedside ultrasound is essential to the early diagnosis of this condition. We describe the case of a 5-year-old boy who sustained a potentially fatal, unrecognized trauma to his chest resulting in cardiac tamponade.
authors.forename: Silvana
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Arciniegas Rodriguez
authors.forename: Tony
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Zitek
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Sterett
authors.forename: David G
authors.initials: DG
authors.lastname: Nelson
mesh_terms: D002305:Cardiac Tamponade / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003244:Consciousness Disorders / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D013898:Thoracic Injuries / Q000150:complications*; D014463:Ultrasonography / Q000379:methods