Pneumopericardium occurring after stab wound to the chest

Am J Surg. 2008 Sep;196(3):e10-1. doi: 10.1016/j.amjsurg.2007.08.071. Epub 2008 Jun 16.

Abstract

A 39-year old man was admitted to our hospital with a chest stab wound. The stab wound was approximately 3 cm long by 4 cm deep and located in the subxiphoid process area. Neither the pleura nor pericardium were involved. However, pneumopericardium was detected by posteroanterior chest x-ray and computed axial tomography. The patient was treated by conservative therapy, and the pneumopericardium spontaneously disappeared after 5 days. The patient was discharged on hospital day 7.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Pneumopericardium / diagnosis
  • Pneumopericardium / etiology*
  • Remission, Spontaneous
  • Thoracic Injuries / complications*
  • Wounds, Stab / complications*