A delayed case of tension pneumopericardium after total gastrectomy

PostOperative ST‐segment elevation: not a blocked coronary artery, then what?

“…The clinical presentation was consistent with that of pericarditis, but the short time period since surgery and the lack of pericardial effusion on echocardiogram also made pericarditis an unlikely diagnosis. Albeit rare, pneumomediastinum and pneumopericardium have occasionally been reported due to blunt chest trauma, barotrauma from mechanical ventilation, laparoscopic procedures, or other surgical procedures that breech the integrity of the diaphragm . Review of our patient's operative record revealed that he had been ventilated at a low pressure throughout the operation, and the diaphragm had not been manipulated.…”