| CASE REPORT |
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| Year : 2017 | Volume
: 2
| Issue : 1 | Page : 14-16 |
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Traumatic tension pneumopericardium: A rare complication
P Vivekananthan, Mudalipalayam N Sivakumar, Mohamed Hisham, S Lakshmikanthcharan
Department of Critical Care Medicine, Kovai Medical Center and Hospital, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India
Correspondence Address:
Mohamed Hisham
Department of Critical Care Medicine, Kovai Medical Center and Hospital, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu
India
 Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None  | Check |
DOI: 10.4103/jctt.jctt_12_16
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A 36- year old male was admitted with shock following a road traffic accident. The patient had a low Glasgow Coma Scale score of 8/15 for which he was ventilated and intubated. Computed tomography scan showed pneumomediastinum and pneumopericardium along with left-sided hemopneumothorax. Hemopneumothorax was addressed with an intercostal drain. There was no further blood loss. Persisting hemodynamic compromise needing inotropic support prompted a diagnosis of tamponading effect of pneumopericardium. Pericardiocentesis was performed which resulted in immediate hemodynamic stability. The patient was discharged from intensive care unit after tracheostomy and had a complete recovery. Tension pneumopericardium is an extremely rare condition which can be fatal if left untreated. Prompt suspicion, diagnosis, and treatment of the condition in a hemodynamically unstable trauma patient can be lifesaving. |
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