Periportal edema and ascites: computed tomographic signs of traumatic cardiac tamponade

Abstract

Multislice spiral computed tomography (MSCT) is becoming an increasingly common choice for evaluation of patients with suspected multiple trauma. Here, we present a trauma patient presenting with hypotension. Pericardial fluid and ascites in Morrison pouch were found via focused assessment with sonography for trauma. After pericardiocentesis, MSCT showed pericardiac fluid, periportal low attenuation, and peritoneal ascites. She received pericardiotomy and laparatomy. Numerous blood clots were evacuated from the pericardial space, but no intra-abdominal injury was found. The findings indicate the importance of computed tomographic (CT) signs of cardiac tamponade in avoiding negative laparatomy in patients with trauma (Fig. 1).