Pneumopericardium caused by gastric ulcer perforation into the pericardium. An inusual complication




Luis J. García-Vega, Departamento de Cirugía General, Hospital General Regional 1, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, Chihuahua, Chihuahua, México
Guillermo I. Rivas-Santana, Departamento de Cirugía General, Hospital General Regional 1, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, Chihuahua, Chihuahua, México
Raymundo García-González, Departamento de Cirugía Cardiotorácica. Hospital General Regional 1, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, Chihuahua, Chihuahua, México


Pneumopericardium is an unusual condition defined by the presence of gas into the pericardial sac. Gastric perforation into pericardium is a complication of gastric ulcer with high mortality. In this clinical case, we describe the condition of a male with a silent gastric ulcer, which penetrated into the pericardium, developing pneumopericardium and purulent pericarditis as a complication.



Keywords: Pneumopericardium. Pericarditis. Gastric ulcer.