CXR Case 122
A 64 year old man is extubated following surgery for an ankle fracture. He suffers from mild COPD and is now coughing persistently.
Describe and interpret this CXR
CHEST X-RAY INTERPRETATION
There is pneumopericardium, pneumomediastinum and surgical emphysema in the neck tissues.
No pneumothorax visible.
CLINICAL CORRELATION
Positive pressure ventilation may rarely cause pneumopericardium and (less rarely) pneumomediastinum.
This may or may not be related to the COPD.
Artful observation and the tincture of time is encouraged if possible.
CLINICAL PEARLS
Other proposed causes of pneumopericardium include: post thoracic / cardiac surgery, trauma, pericardio-oesophageal fistula and pericardial infection with gas-forming organisms.
TOP 150 CXR SERIES
Prof Fraser Brims Curtin Medical School, acute and respiratory medicine specialist, immediate care in sport doc, ex-Royal Navy, academic| Top 100 CXR | Google Scholar | ICIS Course ANZ