Spontaneous pyopneumopericardium

Am J Emerg Med. 1999 May;17(3):245-7. doi: 10.1016/s0735-6757(99)90116-x.

Abstract

A previously healthy 42-year-old man presented to the emergency department with progressive weakness, lightheadedness, nausea, and lower extremity edema. Evaluation revealed hypotension, pulsus paradoxus, leukocytosis, hepatic and renal dysfunction, and an air-fluid level in the mediastinum. Emergency department ultrasound confirmed the presence of a large pericardial fluid collection. The patient was admitted to the medical intensive care unit with a diagnosis of pyopneumopericardium for emergent pericardiocentesis.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Emergency Service, Hospital
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Pericardial Effusion
  • Pneumopericardium / diagnostic imaging*
  • Point-of-Care Systems*
  • Ultrasonography