Cancer-Related Pneumopericardium: A Case Report and Literature Review. 2020

Samina Hirani, and Carol S Velez Martinez, and Shajadi Patan, and Mindie Kavanaugh
Department of Internal Medicine, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, Shreveport, Louisiana, USA.

Pneumopericardium is a relatively rare entity mostly described in the literature as a result of causes such as penetrating/blunt trauma and iatrogenic causes during cardiothoracic procedures. We are presenting a case of pneumopericardium as a complication of progressed gastroesophageal junction tumor along with a literature review of all cancer-related pneumopericardium cases reported in the last decade. We present the case of a 65-year-old male with a past medical history significant for locally advanced gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinoma who presented to the hospital with complaints of shortness of breath and fever. A chest X-ray showed an intact esophageal stent along with radiolucency around the cardiac silhouette which suggested pneumopericardium. Computed tomography scan of the chest confirmed the presence of pneumopericardium in posterior pericardium with foci of gas above the esophageal stent likely to be communicating with the pericardium. An echocardiogram was obtained which showed no signs of tamponade. Given the advanced nature of the disease we applied a conservative management given that the pneumopericardium was deemed to be small with no tamponade. Goals of care were discussed with the patient and his family and the patient opted for comfort care measures. This case report prompted us to perform an extensive literature review of cancer-related pneumopericardium from 2008 to 2019. We found 11 cases where it was reported secondary to malignancies of different kinds. Our aim is to compile a review for clinicians to view varied presentations and better direct therapy dependent on the individual case and clinical presentation in patients with cancer-related pneumopericardium. Moreover, although pneumopericardium is rare, it should be considered in differential diagnosis in patients presenting with shortness of breath or chest pain especially with cancers involving the cardiothoracic region.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries

Related Publications

Samina Hirani, and Carol S Velez Martinez, and Shajadi Patan, and Mindie Kavanaugh
February 1971, Gastroenterology,
Samina Hirani, and Carol S Velez Martinez, and Shajadi Patan, and Mindie Kavanaugh
January 1985, The Journal of emergency medicine,
Samina Hirani, and Carol S Velez Martinez, and Shajadi Patan, and Mindie Kavanaugh
June 1996, Revue medicale de Bruxelles,
Samina Hirani, and Carol S Velez Martinez, and Shajadi Patan, and Mindie Kavanaugh
January 1989, Cardiology,
Samina Hirani, and Carol S Velez Martinez, and Shajadi Patan, and Mindie Kavanaugh
April 2006, The American surgeon,
Samina Hirani, and Carol S Velez Martinez, and Shajadi Patan, and Mindie Kavanaugh
August 1993, Giornale italiano di cardiologia,
Samina Hirani, and Carol S Velez Martinez, and Shajadi Patan, and Mindie Kavanaugh
January 2019, Case reports in cardiology,
Samina Hirani, and Carol S Velez Martinez, and Shajadi Patan, and Mindie Kavanaugh
March 1983, Lakartidningen,
Samina Hirani, and Carol S Velez Martinez, and Shajadi Patan, and Mindie Kavanaugh
July 1972, Chest,
Samina Hirani, and Carol S Velez Martinez, and Shajadi Patan, and Mindie Kavanaugh
January 2017, Case reports in pediatrics,
Copied contents to your clipboard!