Pneumopericardium is defined as the condition of presence of air in the pericardial space. It is associated with various etiologies such as chest trauma, infection or invasive procedures. We herein describe a case of cardiac tamponade associated with pneumopericardium. We diagnosed iatrogenic pneumopericardium by plain chest radiography and two-dimensional echocardiography. The patient was successfully treated by re-pericardiocentesis.
Cardiac Tamponade ; Echocardiography ; Humans ; Pericardiocentesis ; Pneumopericardium ; Thorax

Background: Spontaneous pneumopericardium is a very rare condition. Spontaneous pneumothorax and pneumomediastinum have been reported to be associated with an idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). However, spontaneous pneumopericardium has not yet been reported in association with IPF. Here we report a case of spontaneous pneumomediastinum and pneumopericardium in a patient with acute exacerbation of IPF with a review of the relevant literature.
Humans ; Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis* ; Mediastinal Emphysema* ; Pneumopericardium* ; Pneumothorax

Neonatal tension pneumopericardium is a serious disease that requires prompt diagnosis and treatment. If untreated, it may lead to cardiac tamponade and death. We report a case of neonatal tension pneumopericardium which was succesfully treated by open pericardial window operation with review of literatures.
Cardiac Tamponade ; Diagnosis ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Mediastinal Emphysema ; Pneumopericardium*

Pneumopericardium is a rare form of neonatal air leakage. Tension pneumopericardium is much more infrequent, but can cause a cardiovascular deterioration with high mortality up to 80% and neurodevelopmental morbidity in half of the cases. We report two cases of preterm infants who successfully recovered from tension pneumopericardium that developed during mechanical ventilator assistance. The patients displayed a sudden increase in oxygen demand and subsequent cardiovascular deterioration. Immediate needle aspiration of the pneumopericardium performed after checking X-ray images rescued each of patient. Since the clinical symptoms are non-specific, clinicians' suspicion is most important when patients show sudden refractory cardiovascular collapse, especially in ventilator-assisted neonates. This life threatening complication demands instant diagnosis and intervention.
Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Infant, Premature ; Needles ; Oxygen ; Pneumopericardium ; Ventilators, Mechanical

Pneumothorax, pneumomediastinum and pneumopericardium usually develop during emergency situations and these conditions may result in cardiopulmonary compromise, so an early and accurate diagnosis is seen as crucial for proper treatment. For diagnosis of pneumothorax, pneumomediastinum and pneumopericardium, chest radiography is a primary modality and CT can help for diagnosing them earlier and detecting associated abnormalities. The purpose of this pictorial essay is to describe the pathophysiology, various radiographic signs and diagnostic pitfalls of pneumothorax, pneumomediastinum and peumopericardium on chest radiographs that are correlated with CTs, and to aid the physician in the radiographic diagnosis.
Diagnosis ; Emergencies ; Mediastinal Emphysema* ; Pneumopericardium* ; Pneumothorax* ; Radiography ; Radiography, Thoracic ; Thorax

Negative pressure pulmonary edema is an uncommon complication related to general anesthesia. Its main pathophysiology is excessive negative intrathoracic pressure that is caused by an acute upper airway obstruction. Pneumopericardium, the presence of air within the pericardial sac, is another rare condition. The common pathophysiology of pneumopericardium, except for that caused by blunt or penetrating trauma, is barotrauma-induced alveolar rupture caused by positive intrathoracic pressure. Here, we report the case of a 61-year old female patient with negative pulmonary edema and pneumopericardium after general anesthesia. She recovered after conservative management.
Airway Obstruction ; Anesthesia, General* ; Female ; Humans ; Pneumopericardium* ; Pulmonary Edema* ; Rupture

Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Male ; Mediastinal Emphysema ; complications ; Pneumopericardium ; complications

Although tonsillectomy is a common surgical procedure in the otolaryngological department, subcutaneous emphysema after tonsillectomy is a rare complication. While most of the cases are benign and self-limiting, severe sequelae, such as tracheal compression, pneumopericardium, are possible. We present two patients with cervical emphysema after tonsillectomy, and focus on explaining the possible pathologic mechanisms, diagnosis, appropriate management, and nature course of cervical emphysema after tonsillectomy.
Diagnosis ; Emphysema* ; Humans ; Mediastinal Emphysema ; Pneumopericardium ; Subcutaneous Emphysema ; Tonsillectomy*

We report a case of pneumomediastinum, subcutaneous emphysema, and mild pneumothorax that occurred after endotracheal intubation with a metallic endotracheal tube for the laser operation. Fortunately, pneumomediastinum and subcutaneous emphysema were self-limited. But potentially life-threatening events such as upper airway obstruction, tension pneumothorax, pneumopericardium, mediastinitis might be possible. These complications may result from mucosal perforation of upper airway. The use of a tube with rigid and relatively narrower internal diameter than polyvinylchloride endotracheal tube, tough endotracheal intubation technique, high peak inspiratory pressure, suction technique and negative pressure are included as complication factors.
Airway Obstruction ; Intubation, Intratracheal ; Mediastinal Emphysema* ; Mediastinitis ; Pneumopericardium ; Pneumothorax ; Subcutaneous Emphysema* ; Suction

A diabetic 73-year-old man had admitted and examined gastrofiberoscopy due to dyspagia and weight loss of 6 kg during two months. He was confirmed diagnosis of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. During the esophagography, we found the dye spillage into pericardial space from the esophagus with air collection. A following chest roentgenogram revealed a typical pneumopericardium with pericardial air filling. Although intensive care was done, he expired 4 days later. We report a case of typical pnemopericardium caused secondary to esophageal cancer.
Aged ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; Diagnosis ; Esophageal Neoplasms* ; Esophagus ; Humans ; Critical Care ; Pneumopericardium* ; Thorax ; Weight Loss