Pneumopericardium, a Heart in a Trap.

Background

The text discusses the case of a patient who experienced pneumopericardium because of a traumatic incident. It discusses pneumopericardium's causes, symptoms, and complications, including tamponade symptoms and imaging modalities, to confirm the diagnosis and assess complications. Present various treatment options emphasize the importance of ongoing monitoring and damage control principles.

Methods

Retrieved pneumopericardium cases with complete clinical databases (Pubmed, Medline) and summarised the clinical symptoms and prognosis of different treatment schemes.

Results

A 33-year-old male patient, after a suicide attempt, fell from a height estimated at 15 m. The patient was intubated at the scene and mechanically ventilated. Initial assessment revealed signs of tension pneumothorax, which was decompressed and stabilized. Subsequent deterioration led to the discovery of pneumopericardium through diagnostic imaging.

Conclusions

The case highlights the need for a comprehensive and multidisciplinary approach to address the complex nature of injuries associated with pneumopericardium. It examines the principles of damage control, which focus primarily on the patient's general condition, leaving some injuries for later treatment.