Abstract
The authors describe a patient with spontaneous pneumopericardium complicating staphylococcal pneumonia and empyema that resulted in cardiac tamponade. Spontaneous pneumopericardium is an unusual disorder. The causes and clinical findings of pneumopericardium are reviewed, as are the radiographic features that differentiate this condition from pneumomediastinum. Early recognition of pneumopericardium is important, because emergent pericardiocentesis may be required if there is clinical evidence of tamponade.
MeSH terms
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Adult
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Arrhythmias, Cardiac / etiology
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Bronchial Fistula / complications
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Bronchial Fistula / pathology
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Empyema, Pleural / complications
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Empyema, Pleural / diagnostic imaging
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Empyema, Pleural / pathology
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Fatal Outcome
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Female
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Humans
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Pericardium / pathology
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Pleural Diseases / complications
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Pleural Diseases / pathology
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Pneumonia, Staphylococcal / complications*
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Pneumonia, Staphylococcal / diagnostic imaging
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Pneumonia, Staphylococcal / pathology
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Pneumopericardium / diagnostic imaging
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Pneumopericardium / etiology*
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Pneumopericardium / pathology
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Radiography, Thoracic