Cardiac tamponade secondary to traumatic intrapericardial diaphragmatic hernia

Abstract

An unusual case of cardiac tamponade secondary to traumatic intrapericardial diaphragmatic hernia is presented: a defect of the pericardium, with herniation of the stomach and the greater omentum into the pericardial sac. A preoperative diagnosis was suspected by clinical and chest x-ray signs and confirmed by computed tomography (CT). A laparotomy was quickly performed. Successful operative repair of the tear was performed with interrupted reabsorbable sutures. The case is discussed, and the management of patients with these rare lesions is reviewed.