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. 2022 Feb 16;9(2):003167.
doi: 10.12890/2022_003167. eCollection 2022.

Hydropneumopericardium: A Rare Complication of an Oesophageal Tumour

Joana Rodrigues Morais  1 , Rui Môço  1
Affiliations

Hydropneumopericardium: A Rare Complication of an Oesophageal Tumour

Joana Rodrigues Morais et al. Eur J Case Rep Intern Med. .

Abstract

Hydropneumopericardium is a rare event with a risk of serious complications. Timely diagnosis and treatment is important as it can improve prognosis. We report the case of a 77-year-old male patient who presented with acute interscapular pain which developed during a meal. An oesophago-pericardial fistula was found in the context of malignant oesophageal disease.

Learning points: Hydropneumopericardium secondary to oesophageal tumour is a rare but life-threatening finding that has a very poor prognosis.A high level of suspicion is needed, as the clinical manifestations are very unspecific and timely treatment can improve prognosis.Successful management of an oesophago-pericardial fistula includes surgical treatment and antibiotic therapy.

Keywords: Hydropneumopericardium; oesophageal tumour; oesophago-pericardial fistula.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflicts of Interests: The authors declare there are no competing interests.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Computed tomographic topogram (A) and computed tomographic scan of the chest with contrast (B) showing the presence of air and a fluid component (indicated by a blue arrow) in the pericardial space
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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