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Hydropneumopericardium, a rare complication of esophageal ulcers, is usually fatal. This case highlights survival, suggesting rapid spontaneous fistula healing may be responsible.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology and Cardiology
Background:
- Hydropneumopericardium is an exceedingly rare and typically fatal condition.
- It is a known, albeit infrequent, complication of peptic ulceration of the esophagus.
Abstract:
Hydropneumopericardium is a very rare and usually fatal complication of peptic oesophageal ulceration. The patient reported here survived and the report resembles one previously made about a child. In both patients failure to show the fistula radiologically or on endoscopy suggests that rapid spontaneous healing had occurred, and that this was responsible for survival.