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Biomedical Papers of the Medical... Mar 2023Tension pneumopericardium is a life-threatening condition, manifesting most commonly as hemodynamic instability caused by cardiac tamponade. Reduced cardiac output and...
INTRODUCTION
Tension pneumopericardium is a life-threatening condition, manifesting most commonly as hemodynamic instability caused by cardiac tamponade. Reduced cardiac output and blood pressure can lead to difficulties in the detection of arterial bleeding from associated injuries while the increased venous pressure can increase the rate of bleeding.
CASE REPORT
This is the case of a patient after a car accident, with bilateral serial fractures, bilateral pulmonary contusion, bilateral pneumothorax, emphysema of the neck and chest, pneumomediastinum and pneumopericardium, and other injuries. During treatment, the patient developed a gradually progressing hemodynamic instability, resulting in pulseless electrical activity. Further progression of the case is detailed in the paper.
CONCLUSIONS
Tension pneumopericardium is a rare complication of a high-energy blunt thoracic trauma that manifests through hemodynamic instability. Its treatment requires early diagnosis and immediate decompression of the pericardial cavity, which should, where possible, be performed even before putting the patient on mechanical ventilation as ventilation bears a high risk of worsening the pneumopericardium due to the increased air pressure in the lungs. During diagnosis and treatment of associated injuries, we must bear in mind that the hemodynamic changes caused by pneumopericardium can mask typical signs of such injuries.
Topics: Humans; Pneumopericardium; Thoracic Injuries; Pneumothorax; Multiple Trauma; Respiration, Artificial
PubMed: 34747414
DOI: 10.5507/bp.2021.060 -
The Journal of Asthma : Official... Apr 2024Spontaneous pneumomediastinum with pneumopericardium is an uncommon clinical entity.
INTRODUCTION
Spontaneous pneumomediastinum with pneumopericardium is an uncommon clinical entity.
CASE STUDY
Here, we report the case of a 23-year-old male with asthma who presented with acute chest pain and shortness of breath after an episode of coughing and sneezing. CT scans of the chest and neck revealed pneumomediastinum and pneumopericardium with extensive subcutaneous emphysema extending into the axilla and neck.
RESULTS
The patient was admitted for observation and analgesia. No other interventions were administered. Interval scans performed on day five of the admission demonstrated an interval reduction in the degree of air within the mediastinum, pericardium and subcutaneous tissues, and the patient was subsequently discharged home.
CONCLUSION
This case outlines the presentation, diagnosis, and management of concurrent spontaneous pneumomediastinum and pneumopericardium.
PubMed: 38639651
DOI: 10.1080/02770903.2024.2346151 -
Injury May 2024Traumatic pneumopericardium (PPC) is a rare clinical entity associated with chest trauma, resulting from a pleuropericardial connection in the presence of a...
BACKGROUND
Traumatic pneumopericardium (PPC) is a rare clinical entity associated with chest trauma, resulting from a pleuropericardial connection in the presence of a pneumothorax, interstitial air tracking along the pulmonary perivascular sheaths from ruptured alveoli to the pericardium, or direct trachea-bronchial-pericardial communication. Our objectives were to describe the modern management approach to PPC and to identify variables that could improve survival with severe thoracic injury.
METHODS
We conducted a retrospective study of the trauma registry between 2015 and 2022 at a Level I verified adult trauma center for all patients with PPC. Demographics, injury patterns, and treatment characteristics were compared between blunt and penetrating trauma. This study focused on the management strategies and the physiologic status regarding PPC and the development of tension physiology. The main outcome measure was operative versus nonoperative management.
RESULTS
Over a seven-year period, there were 46,389 trauma admissions, of which 488 patients had pneumomediastinum. Eighteen patients were identified with PPC at admission. Median age was 39.5 years (range, 18-77 years), predominantly male (n = 16, 89 %), Black (n = 12, 67 %), and the majority from blunt trauma (78 %). Half had subcutaneous emphysema on presentation while 39 % had recognizable pneumomediastinum on chest x-ray. Tube thoracostomy was the most common intervention in this cohort (89 %). Despite tube thoracostomy, tension PPC was observed in three patients, two mandating emergent pericardial windows for progression to tension physiology, and the remaining requiring reconstruction of a blunt tracheal disruption. The majority of PPC patients recovered with expectant management (83 %), and no deaths were directly related to PPC.
CONCLUSIONS
Traumatic PPC is a rare radiographic finding with the majority successfully managed conservatively in a monitored ICU setting. These patients often have severe thoracic injury with concomitant injuries requiring thoracostomy alone; however, emergent surgical intervention may be required when PPC progresses to tension physiology to improve overall survival.
Topics: Adult; Humans; Male; Female; Pneumopericardium; Retrospective Studies; Mediastinal Emphysema; Thoracic Injuries; Wounds, Nonpenetrating; Pneumothorax
PubMed: 38218676
DOI: 10.1016/j.injury.2023.111303 -
CMAJ : Canadian Medical Association... Feb 2023
Topics: Humans; Pericardiocentesis; Pneumopericardium; Tomography, X-Ray Computed
PubMed: 36746478
DOI: 10.1503/cmaj.221137 -
Revue Des Maladies Respiratoires Jan 2020Cocaine can be responsible for many psychiatric and/or somatic disorders. The aim of this systematic literature review of data was to expose relations between cocaine...
Cocaine can be responsible for many psychiatric and/or somatic disorders. The aim of this systematic literature review of data was to expose relations between cocaine use and pulmonary complications. Cocaine can be responsible for acute respiratory symptoms (cough, black sputum, hemoptysis, dyspnea, wheezing, chest pain) and for various pulmonary disorders including barotrauma (pneumothorax, pneumomediastinum, subcutaneous emphysema, pneumopericardium), airway damage, asthma, bronchiolitis obliterans with organizing pneumonia, acute pulmonary edema, alveolar hemorrhage, alveolar pneumonia with carbonaceous material, bullous emphysema, acute eosinophilic pneumonia, pulmonary granulomatosis caused by talc or cellulose, interstitial pneumonitis and pulmonary fibrosis, vasculitis, pulmonary hypertension, pulmonary embolism and pulmonary infarction, mycotic pulmonary arterial aneurysms, septic emboli, aspiration pneumonia, community-acquired pneumonia, HIV-related opportunistic infections, latent tuberculosis infection, pulmonary tuberculosis, lung cancer and crack lung. Some of these complications are serious and may have a fatal outcome. Pulmonary function tests, thoracic tomodensitometry, bronchial fibroscopy with bronchoalveolar lavage and lung scintigraphy may be an aid to the diagnosis of these pulmonary compications. Cocaine use must be sought in case of respiratory symptoms in young persons.
Topics: Cocaine; Cocaine-Related Disorders; Drug Users; Humans; Lung Diseases
PubMed: 31883817
DOI: 10.1016/j.rmr.2019.11.641 -
Journal of Cardiac Surgery Sep 2019Pneumopericardium is a rare air leak syndrome caused by the abnormal presence of air in the pericardial sac, with a high risk of morbidity and mortality. It is... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND AND AIMS
Pneumopericardium is a rare air leak syndrome caused by the abnormal presence of air in the pericardial sac, with a high risk of morbidity and mortality. It is clinically divided into nontension and tension pneumopericardium, with the latter resulting in a decreased cardiac output and circulatory failure. There are limited data regarding nontraumatic pneumopericardium in nonventilated pediatric patients. Therefore, we aimed to describe a case of tension pneumopericardium and review the available literature.
METHODS
Case report and literature review of nontraumatic pneumopericardium in nonventilated pediatric patients.
RESULTS
A 2-month-old infant developed cardiac tamponade secondary to tension pneumopericardium 11 days after cardiac surgery promptly resolved with pericardium drainage. We reviewed the literature on this topic and retrieved 50 cases, of which 72% were nontension whereas a minority were tension pneumopericardium (28%). Patients with tension pneumopericardium were mostly neonates (35.7% vs 22.2%), presented with an isolated air leak (64.3% vs 36.1%), and had a history of surgery (28.6% vs 8.3%) or hematological disease (28.6% vs 11.1%). In all nontension cases, treatment was conservative, whilst in all other cases, pericardiocentesis/pericardium drainage was carried out. There was a high survival rate (86.0%), which was lower in patients with tension pneumopericardium (71.4% vs 91.6%).
CONCLUSIONS
Pneumopericardium is a rare condition with a higher mortality rate in patients with tension pneumopericardium, which requires immediate diagnosis and treatment. In nonventilated patients, tension pneumopericardium occurred more frequently in neonates, as an isolated air leak, and in those with a history of surgery or hematological disease.
Topics: Cardiac Surgical Procedures; Cardiac Tamponade; Drainage; Heart Defects, Congenital; Humans; Infant, Newborn; Male; Pneumopericardium; Postoperative Complications; Respiration, Artificial; Survival Rate
PubMed: 31269314
DOI: 10.1111/jocs.14159 -
Radiologia 2021To describe the radiologic findings of extrapulmonary air in the chest and to review atypical and unusual causes of extrapulmonary air, emphasizing the importance of the... (Review)
Review
OBJECTIVE
To describe the radiologic findings of extrapulmonary air in the chest and to review atypical and unusual causes of extrapulmonary air, emphasizing the importance of the diagnosis in managing these patients.
CONCLUSION
In this article, we review a series of cases collected at our center that manifest with extrapulmonary air in the thorax, paying special attention to atypical and uncommon causes. We discuss the causes of extrapulmonary according to its location: mediastinum (spontaneous pneumomediastinum with pneumorrhachis, tracheal rupture, dehiscence of the bronchial anastomosis after lung transplantation, intramucosal esophageal dissection, Boerhaave syndrome, tracheoesophageal fistula in patients with esophageal tumors, bronchial perforation and esophagorespiratory fistula due to lymph-node rupture, and acute mediastinitis), pericardium (pneumopericardium in patients with lung tumors), cardiovascular (venous air embolism), pleura (bronchopleural fistulas, spontaneous pneumothorax in patients with malignant pleural mesotheliomas and primary lung tumors, and bilateral pneumothorax after unilateral lung biopsy), and thoracic wall (infections, transdiaphragmatic intercostal hernia, and subcutaneous emphysema after lung biopsy).
Topics: Humans; Mediastinal Emphysema; Rupture; Subcutaneous Emphysema; Thorax; Trachea
PubMed: 34246426
DOI: 10.1016/j.rxeng.2021.02.005 -
Annals of Medicine and Surgery (2012) Jan 2022An ever-increasing number of studies have reported an increased incidence of spontaneous pulmonary barotrauma such as pneumothorax, pneumomediastinum, and subcutaneous... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
An ever-increasing number of studies have reported an increased incidence of spontaneous pulmonary barotrauma such as pneumothorax, pneumomediastinum, and subcutaneous emphysema in patients with COVID-19. We conducted this systematic review and meta-analysis to assess the value and significance of the available data.
METHODS
A thorough systematic search was conducted to identify studies of barotrauma in hospitalized patients with COVID-19. Data analysis of case reports was done using a statistical package for the social sciences (SPSS) version 22, and meta-analysis was performed using CMA-3.
RESULTS
We identified a total of 4488 studies after thorough database searching.118 case reports and series, and 15 observational studies were included in the qualitative analysis. Fifteen studies were included in the quantitative analysis. The observational studies reported barotrauma in 4.2% (2.4-7.3%) among hospitalized patients; 15.6% (11-21.8%) among critically ill patients; and 18.4% (13-25.3%) in patients receiving invasive mechanical ventilation, showing a linear relationship of barotrauma with the severity of the disease. In addition, barotrauma was associated with a longer length of hospital stay, more extended ICU stay, and higher in-hospital mortality. Also, a slightly higher odds of barotrauma was seen in COVID-19 ARDS compared with non-COVID-19 ARDS.
CONCLUSION
COVID-19 pneumonia is associated with a higher incidence of barotrauma. It presents unique challenges for invasive and non-invasive ventilation management. Further studies are required to unravel the underlying pathophysiology and develop safer management strategies.
PubMed: 35003730
DOI: 10.1016/j.amsu.2021.103221 -
Clinical Practice and Cases in... May 2021Although rare, iatrogenic cases of pneumopericardium have been documented following laparoscopic surgery and mechanical ventilation. Electrocardiogram (ECG) changes,...
INTRODUCTION
Although rare, iatrogenic cases of pneumopericardium have been documented following laparoscopic surgery and mechanical ventilation. Electrocardiogram (ECG) changes, including ST-segment depressions and T-wave inversions, have been documented in cases of pneumopericardium, and can mimic more concerning causes of chest pain including myocardial ischemia or pulmonary embolism.
CASE REPORT
This unique case describes a patient who presented with chest pain and ST-segment changes on ECG hours after a laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair and who was found to have pneumopericardium.
CONCLUSION
While iatrogenic pneumopericardium is often self-limiting and rarely requires intervention, it is critical to differentiate pneumopericardium from other etiologies of chest pain, including myocardial ischemia and pulmonary embolism, to prevent unnecessary intervention.
PubMed: 34436999
DOI: 10.5811/cpcem.2021.2.51069 -
The Journal of the Association of... Jan 2021Alveolar air leak comprising of pneumothorax, pneumomediastinum, and subcutaneous emphysema in the ongoing COVID 19 pneumonia have been increasingly reported in... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Alveolar air leak comprising of pneumothorax, pneumomediastinum, and subcutaneous emphysema in the ongoing COVID 19 pneumonia have been increasingly reported in literature. These air leaks were also recognized in the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) and H1N1 viral pandemics. Here we review the incidence and outcomes of alveolar air leaks over 400 patients admitted to our tertiary care institution for moderate-severe COVID-19 pneumonia.
METHODS
We performed a retrospective audit of moderate to severe COVID-19 cases admitted to our hospital. Patients who were recognized as either a spontaneous pneumothorax, pneumomediastinum, pneumopericardium and subcutaneous emphysema were identified. Their clinical features and characteristics were thoroughly documented and clinical outcomes were gathered. Each case has been presented as a brief synopsis.
RESULTS
During the audit period, we reviewed over 670 patients, out of these 419 patients required intensive care for moderate to severe disease. 10 patients developed Pneumothorax, pneumomediastinum, pneumopericardium and/ or subcutaneous emphysema - referred to as Alveolar Air leak syndrome; The incidence of alveolar air leak was found to be 2.39%. 6 patients did not survive the resultant complication.
CONCLUSION
Spontaneous alveolar air leaks are a rare but definite complication of COVID-19 viral pneumonia and may occur in the absence of mechanical ventilation. ICU Clinicians must be alert about the diagnosis and treatment of this complication.
Topics: COVID-19; Humans; Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype; Respiratory Distress Syndrome; Retrospective Studies; SARS-CoV-2
PubMed: 34227771
DOI: No ID Found