%0 Journal Article
%T Blunt Traumatic Pericardial Rupture with Traumatic Amaurosis Fugax Presenting as Massive Haemothorax: A Conundrum?
%A Isaac Okyere
%A Samuel Gyasi Brenu
%A Perditer Okyere
%J Open Journal of Thoracic Surgery
%P 9-16
%@ 2164-3067
%D 2019
%I Scientific Research Publishing
%R 10.4236/ojts.2019.92002
%X <strong>Introduction:</strong> Blunt traumatic pericardial rupture (BTPR) or traumatic pericardiotomy is a rare typical trauma. It is usually discovered at autopsy. Surgical repair is mandatory especially if prompt diagnosis is made because of the associated high mortality. <strong>Clinical Case:</strong> We report the successful management and survival of BTPR patient after chest trauma presenting with massive haemothorax and transient loss of vision, necessitating urgent surgical treatment. The patient was involved in a road traffic accident having a head-on collision with the rear of the vehicle ahead whiles trying to overtake it. <strong>Discussion:</strong> It is usually discovered at autopsy or during emergent surgical exploration through either sternotomy or thoracotomy [1] due to its delayed diagnosis, unusual presentation, association with other major cardiopulmonary injuries and complications such as cardiac herniation, fatal arrhythmias, cardiogenic shock and cardiac arrest. <strong>Conclusion:</strong> Blunt traumatic pericardial rupture should be suspected in any patient in whom hemodynamic instability occurs rapidly after trauma without evidence of major bleeding. Prompt surgical exploration may yield excellent results.
%K Blunt Chest Trauma
%K Pericardial Rupture
%K Haemothorax
%K Thoracotomy
%K Amaurosis Fugax
%U http://www.scirp.org/journal/PaperInformation.aspx?PaperID=94435