In a 22-year-old male with blunt chest trauma, extreme ECG abnormalities were found to be caused by pneumopericardium, which resolved completely after chest tube drainage.
Case Report (n=1)
Pneumopericardium should be considered in the differential diagnosis of extreme ECG changes following blunt chest trauma, and early CT scanning is important for evaluation.
INTRODUCTION: Electrocardiogram (ECG) abnormalities in patients with blunt chest trauma are diverse and non-specific, but may be indicative of potentially life-threatening conditions. CASE PRESENTATION: We report a rare case of pneumopericardium with extreme ECG abnormalities after blunt chest trauma in a 22-year-old male. The diagnosis was confirmed using computed tomography (CT) scanning. The case is discussed, together with its differential diagnosis and the aetiology of pneumopericardium and tension pneumopericardium. CONCLUSION: Pneumopericardium should be distinguished from other pathologies such as myocardial contusion and myocardial infarction because of the possible development of tension pneumopericardium. Early CT scanning is important in the evaluation of blunt chest trauma.
Konijn et al. (Fri,) conducted a case report in Blunt chest trauma with pneumopericardium (n=1). Chest tube drainage was evaluated. In a 22-year-old male with blunt chest trauma, extreme ECG abnormalities were found to be caused by pneumopericardium, which resolved completely after chest tube drainage.