Iatrogenic pneumopericardium after tube thoracostomy: A case report

Pneumopericardium, the presence of air within the pericardial space, is a rare occurrence which usually follows positive pressure ventilation in infants, or blunt and penetrating thoracoabdominal injuries in adults. The occurrence of iatrogenic pneumopericardium following tube thoracostomy is extremely rare.

We present a rare case of iatrogenic pneumopericardium in a 1 year and 7 months old female child for whom a left side tube thoracostomy was done using nasogastric tube for an indication of left empyema thoracis. Later, she developed progressively worsening shortness of breath and imaging revealed iatrogenic pneumopericardium. She was managed conservatively and discharged home in good condition.

Iatrogenic pneumopericardium can have a range of presentations from being asymptomatic to features of cardiac tamponade. Patient management depends on the presence of tamponade effect and age of the patient. Infants tend to develop cardiac tamponade earlier urging surgical intervention but selected patients can be managed conservatively.

Iatrogenic pneumopericardium is a rare event but it might lead to death if not diagnosed and treated promptly. Although the tendency to develop tension pneumopericardium urging surgical intervention is high in pediatric patients, our patient has improved well with conservative management. While reporting of complications is not popular, this represents an opportunity to advance the safety during chest drain insertion.