A case report of pyopneumopericardium following bungee jumping in a patient with tuberculosis

Pyopneumopericardium related to bungee jumping is a rare occurrence in the current antibiotic era. We present a case of esophagus-seeded Streptococcus sanguinis pyopneumopericardium in a young man with tuberculosis who had just completed bungee jumping.

A 27-year-old man was hospitalized with a 1-day history of fever, chest tightness, and intermittent sharp chest pain after bungee jumping for the first time.

Clinical examinations, thoracentesis, and pericardiocentesis revealed pyopneumopericardium, pyopneumomediastinum, and suppurative pleurisy secondary to bungee-jumping-related traumas. Pericardial fluid cultures were positive for S sanguinis, and Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex genetic test was positive in both sputum and pleural effusion.

The patient improved with drainage and comprehensive antimicrobial therapy.

The patient developed constrictive pericarditis and underwent pericardiectomy after 6 months of anti-tuberculosis treatment. During the 6-month follow-up after surgery, he recovered uneventfully.

This case adds to the long list of bungee-jumping complications. Early diagnosis to initiate appropriate therapy is critical for pyopneumopericardium patients to achieve good outcomes.