Chronic expanding intrapericardial hematoma associated with blunt chest trauma 50 years earlier

Chronic expanding intrapericardial hematoma can be treated surgically; however, a correct diagnosis is not always established, thus the condition remains untreated. A 76-year-old man was referred to us with a diagnosis of congestive heart failure. The patient had experienced blunt trauma to the chest 50 years earlier (during bar practice). Cardiac computed tomography revealed a cystic mass wrapped in a calcified membrane that was impeding inflow to the right atrium and ventricle. Cardiac catheterization revealed that the right ventricular pressure had a dip and plateau pattern. We diagnosed the patient with constrictive pericarditis-induced chronic expanding intrapericardial hematoma and agreed upon surgical management. We removed the hematoma and performed a pericardiectomy. The postoperative course was uneventful. In conclusion, chronic expanding intrapericardial hematoma can develop after blunt chest trauma and can be diagnosed precisely with cardiac computed tomography.

A 76-year-old man presented with congestive heart failure. The patient had experienced blunt trauma to the chest 50 years earlier. Cardiac computed tomography (CT) revealed a cystic mass within a calcified membrane that was impeding inflow in the right atrium and ventricle. We diagnosed chronic expanding intrapericardial hematoma (CEIH). We successfully removed the hematoma and performed a pericardiectomy. CEIH can develop after blunt chest trauma and could be diagnosed earlier with cardiac CT.