• J Stegmaier, C Kirchhoff, P Biberthaler, S Buhmann, M Körner, R Ladurner, K-G Kanz, and W Mutschler.
• Chirurgische Klinik und Poliklinik, Ludwig-Maximilans-Universität, München.
• Unfallchirurg. 2006 Mar 1;109(3):245-50.

AbstractThoracic injury is a relevant and common complication in multiply injured patients. Typical patterns of injury comprise rib fractures, serious lung trauma as well as diaphragmatic and aortic rupture. In contrast, posttraumatic tension pneumopericardium following blunt thoracic trauma is a very rare complication. However, if unrecognized it might provoke cardiac tamponade and death. For the development of a pneumopericardium, free air follows the vessel bundles up to the pericardium. Hence, if the number of ruptured alveoli is high, or these alveoli are placed close to the heart, and if additional risk factors, such as high inspiratory ventilation pressure, are present, a tension pneumopericardium can induce cardiac tamponade. The aim of this report is to illuminate diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for posttraumatic pneumopericardium by presentation of a case from our trauma centre and a critical discussion of the present literature.

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