Pneumopyopericardium as a complication of a benign gastric ulcer. A case report

The first case of pneumopyopericardium secondary to perforation of an ulcer in an intrathoracically placed stomach after esophagogastrostomy was reported in 1965 (Romhilt & Alexander, 1965). A review of the literature reveals that this condition is extremely rare as apparently only three cases have been reported since then (Gago, Chopra, Ellison & Silverman, 1973; Gleser, 1973; Pelligrini & Cenni, 1972) and only one with recovery (Gago et al., 1973). The purpose of this paper is to point out this possible complication of esophagogastrostomy in those patients who have undergone this operation for a benign disease and in whom prolonged survival is expected.