Abstract
Pericardial infection is an uncommon clinical entity after traumatic injury. Although invasive intervention is rarely necessary for mild pericardial inflammation, pericardial abscess can be life-threatening. The charts of 27 patients with pericarditis requiring management in the intensive care unit and/or invasive intervention at Harborview Medical Center during a 10-year period were reviewed. Six cases of trauma-related pericarditis were identified, including three cases of pericardial abscess following torso trauma without initial cardiac or pericardial injury. Pericardial abscess following trauma was associated with the sepsis syndrome and multiple system organ failure (MSOF) in all patients. Computed tomography and pericardiocentesis were useful diagnostic adjuncts. All patients required thoracotomy for pericardial drainage and pericardiectomy. Successful surgical management of pericardial abscess contributed to the resolution of sepsis, multiple end-organ dysfunction and, ultimately, patient survival in all cases. We conclude that pericardial abscess, although rare, should be considered a potential occult site of sepsis capable of driving MSOF in trauma patients. Expedient diagnosis and surgical drainage are essential for successful patient outcome.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 637-641 |
| Number of pages | 5 |
| Journal | The American Journal of Surgery |
| Volume | 165 |
| Issue number | 5 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Jan 1 1993 |
| Externally published | Yes |
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ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Surgery
Cite this
Diagnosis and management of pericardial abscess in trauma patients. / Sato, Thomas T.; Geary, Randolph L.; Ashbaugh, David G.; Jurkovich, Gregory.
In: The American Journal of Surgery, Vol. 165, No. 5, 01.01.1993, p. 637-641.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Diagnosis and management of pericardial abscess in trauma patients
AU - Sato, Thomas T.
AU - Geary, Randolph L.
AU - Ashbaugh, David G.
AU - Jurkovich, Gregory
PY - 1993/1/1
Y1 - 1993/1/1
N2 - Pericardial infection is an uncommon clinical entity after traumatic injury. Although invasive intervention is rarely necessary for mild pericardial inflammation, pericardial abscess can be life-threatening. The charts of 27 patients with pericarditis requiring management in the intensive care unit and/or invasive intervention at Harborview Medical Center during a 10-year period were reviewed. Six cases of trauma-related pericarditis were identified, including three cases of pericardial abscess following torso trauma without initial cardiac or pericardial injury. Pericardial abscess following trauma was associated with the sepsis syndrome and multiple system organ failure (MSOF) in all patients. Computed tomography and pericardiocentesis were useful diagnostic adjuncts. All patients required thoracotomy for pericardial drainage and pericardiectomy. Successful surgical management of pericardial abscess contributed to the resolution of sepsis, multiple end-organ dysfunction and, ultimately, patient survival in all cases. We conclude that pericardial abscess, although rare, should be considered a potential occult site of sepsis capable of driving MSOF in trauma patients. Expedient diagnosis and surgical drainage are essential for successful patient outcome.
AB - Pericardial infection is an uncommon clinical entity after traumatic injury. Although invasive intervention is rarely necessary for mild pericardial inflammation, pericardial abscess can be life-threatening. The charts of 27 patients with pericarditis requiring management in the intensive care unit and/or invasive intervention at Harborview Medical Center during a 10-year period were reviewed. Six cases of trauma-related pericarditis were identified, including three cases of pericardial abscess following torso trauma without initial cardiac or pericardial injury. Pericardial abscess following trauma was associated with the sepsis syndrome and multiple system organ failure (MSOF) in all patients. Computed tomography and pericardiocentesis were useful diagnostic adjuncts. All patients required thoracotomy for pericardial drainage and pericardiectomy. Successful surgical management of pericardial abscess contributed to the resolution of sepsis, multiple end-organ dysfunction and, ultimately, patient survival in all cases. We conclude that pericardial abscess, although rare, should be considered a potential occult site of sepsis capable of driving MSOF in trauma patients. Expedient diagnosis and surgical drainage are essential for successful patient outcome.
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UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=0027275043&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/S0002-9610(05)80451-9
DO - 10.1016/S0002-9610(05)80451-9
M3 - Article
C2 - 8488952
AN - SCOPUS:0027275043
VL - 165
SP - 637
EP - 641
JO - American Journal of Surgery
JF - American Journal of Surgery
SN - 0002-9610
IS - 5
ER -