Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 17, 2026
05:31
Transcatheter Pulmonary Valve Replacement from Autologous Pericardium with a Self-Expandable Nitinol Stent in an Adult Sheep Model
Published on: June 8, 2022
Pericardiectomy in post-traumatic suppurative constrictive pericarditis: case report.
Abiodun Oyinpreye Jasper1, Gandhi Agbaegbe Anyanhun, Stanley Ukadike Okugbo
1Department of Anaesthesia, College of Health Sciences, Delta State University, Abraka Delta State, Nigeria.
Cases Journal
|January 12, 2010
Summary
A chest wall abscess and pericardial effusion in a 13-year-old male, caused by a retained bullet, were successfully treated with drainage and pericardiectomy.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Thoracic Surgery
- Infectious Disease
Background:
- A 13-year-old male presented with a 5-month history of chest swelling, pain, fever, and exertional dyspnea.
- A gunshot wound to the chest 2.5 years prior was noted in his medical history.
Purpose of the Study:
- To report a rare case of constrictive pericarditis with purulent pericardial effusion secondary to a foreign body abscess.
- To highlight the diagnostic and therapeutic challenges in managing such cases.
Main Methods:
- Clinical presentation, physical examination, and diagnostic imaging (chest radiograph, echocardiography, electrocardiogram) were utilized.
- Initial management involved incision and drainage of the chest wall abscess.
- Surgical pericardiectomy was performed under general anesthesia.
Main Results:
- Needle aspiration of the chest wall swelling yielded purulent fluid.
- Chest radiograph revealed massive cardiomegaly and radiopaque foreign bodies (pellets) in the right 5th costosternal joint.
- Echocardiography confirmed massive pericardial effusion.
- The patient's condition improved significantly after abscess drainage and subsequent pericardiectomy.
Conclusions:
- Constrictive pericarditis with purulent pericardial effusion can occur secondary to a retained foreign body and abscess formation.
- Prompt surgical intervention, including drainage and pericardiectomy, is crucial for favorable outcomes.
- This case underscores the importance of considering delayed complications of penetrating chest trauma.
Related Concept Videos
01:17Pericarditis III: Medical Management
The primary objectives of managing pericarditis are to determine the underlying cause, provide effective therapy for treatment and symptom relief, and promptly detect signs and symptoms of cardiac tamponade. The following outlines the essential aspects of medical management for pericarditis:ObjectivesDetermine the Cause: Identifying the underlying cause of pericarditis is crucial for targeted treatment. Causes include viral infections, autoimmune diseases, post-cardiac injury syndrome, and...
01:22Pericarditis I: Introduction
Pericarditis is defined as the inflammation of the pericardium, the thin, sac-like membrane surrounding the heart. This condition can cause significant chest pain and other symptoms, often necessitating medical intervention. The pericardium has two layers: the inner visceral layer and the outer parietal layer, separated by a small amount of fluid that reduces friction during heartbeats.Types of PericarditisPericarditis can be classified into several types based on the duration and nature of the...
01:25Pericarditis IV: Nursing Management
Pericarditis, an inflammation of the pericardium, necessitates diligent nursing management to ensure effective patient care and recovery. The initial step in managing pericarditis is a comprehensive patient medical assessment.The patient reports chest pain aggravated by breathing, coughing, and swallowing, which worsens when lying supine. The pain often improves when sitting up and leaning forward. Additional symptoms may include fever, malaise, and, in severe cases, signs of heart failure.
01:19Pericarditis II: Clinical Features and Diagnostic Tests
Pericarditis is distinguished by inflammation of the pericardium, the fibrous sac that encases the heart. It can be acute, lasting less than six weeks, or chronic, persisting for over three months. Understanding its clinical manifestations and diagnostic findings is crucial for timely and effective management.Clinical ManifestationsWhile pericarditis can be asymptomatic, it usually presents with characteristic symptoms such as:Chest Pain: The most characteristic symptom of pericarditis is chest...
01:28Cardiomyopathy VII: Pre and Post Operative Nursing Management
Patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) and left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) obstruction who remain symptomatic despite optimal medical therapy may undergo a septal myectomy (Morrow procedure). This procedure involves excising a portion of the hypertrophied septum below the aortic valve using a heart-lung machine to improve blood flow through the LVOT. Effective preoperative and postoperative nursing management ensures successful patient outcomes, minimizes complications, and...
01:21Cardiac Catheterization II: Right Heart Catheterization
Right Heart Catheterization: An OverviewRight heart catheterization is an invasive diagnostic procedure that measures right-sided cardiac and pulmonary artery pressures, calculates cardiac output, and identifies intracardiac shunts. It provides detailed hemodynamic data essential for diagnosing and managing various cardiovascular conditions, such as pulmonary hypertension.Access SitesCommon access sites for right heart catheterization include the internal jugular vein in the neck region, the...