Pericardial tamponade consequent to a dynamite explosion: blast overpressure injury without penetrating trauma

Acute cardiac tamponade is a life-threatening emergency that requires prompt treatment by either percutaneous or surgical pericardiocentesis. It may occur after penetrating or blunt chest trauma. We report a case of pericardial tamponade in the absence of penetrating trauma, due to blast overpressure injury after a dynamite explosion-which has not, to our knowledge, been reported before. Physicians should be aware of the possibility of pericardial tamponade in victims of barotraumatic events such as dynamite or bomb explosions, even in the absence of penetrating trauma. Cardiac tamponade, although life-threatening, is easy to treat when recognized.