Diaphragmatic rupture with cardiac tamponade

Intrapericardial herniation of abdominal viscera following blunt abdominal trauma is rare. We have been able to find only nine reported cases. Six of these were finally diagnosed after a long delay, ranging from a year to 23 years. Three were diagnosed within three months of the original injury, but in these patients, the investigations were initiated following an abnormal chest skiagram. We wish to report a unique case in which a traumatic intrapericardial hernia presented as an acute cardiac tamponade within 48 hours of injury.