Citation

Chellasamy RT, Rajarajan N, Pio Samy NM, Munusamy H. Cureus 2023; 15(5): e39125.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2023, Curēus)

DOI

10.7759/cureus.39125

PMID

37332455

PMCID

PMC10273778

Abstract

Traumatic pericardi0-diaphragmatic rupture is very rare. It occurs due to high-velocity blunt trauma or penetrating injury to the abdomen or chest, which requires emergency intervention. The severity of injury varies, and it is very difficult to diagnose. Diaphragmatic ruptures are more common on the left side. Pericardial tears and diaphragmatic rupture are rare and often unrecognized in the acute phase. Computed Tomography is essential to diagnose and requires emergency surgery to avoid dreaded complications. A twenty-eight-year-old female reported to the emergency department with blunt injury to the abdomen following a road traffic accident. She was found to have diaphragmatic and a pericardial rupture with herniation of the bowel into the thoracic cavity. Emergency surgical repair was done. We report this case, as it is very rare to have a pericardial involvement along with diaphragmatic rupture, and to elaborate on the technical aspect of the surgical repair.

Language: en

Keywords

major trauma; blunt abdominal injury; diaphragmatic rupture; pericardial injury; traumatic diaphragmatic hernia