Pneumopericardium Following Severe Thoracic Trauma

Thoracic injury is associated with significant morbidity and is currently the third most common cause of death in polytrauma patients [1,2]. Regardless of the mechanism, traumatic pneumothorax (PTX) is a common thoracic injury and is present in 80% of penetrating trauma requiring admission [1,3]. While traumatic PTX is common, traumatic pneumopericardium (PPC) is significantly less common. First described by Bricheteau in 1844, PPC is a clinical condition characterized by the collection of air in the pericardial sac [4].

Source: Injury - December 29, 2023 Category: Orthopaedics Authors: Jason D. Sciarretta, Soroosh Noorbakhsh, Yoo Joung, Daniel W. Bailey, Mari Freedberg, Jonathan Nguyen, Randi N. Smith, Patricia Ayoung-Chee, Millard A. Davis, Elizabeth R. Benjamin, S.Rob Todd Source Type: research