Delayed cardiac tamponade after blunt chest trauma in a child

Sudden death associated with delayed cardiac rupture: case report and literature review

Cardiac injury plays a critical role in the process of thoracic trauma-related fatal outcomes. Historically, most patients who suffer a cardiac rupture typically die at the scene of occurrence or in the hospital, despite prompt medical intervention. Delayed cardiac rupture, although rare, may occur days after the initial injury and cause sudden unexpected death. Herein, we present the clinical details of a young man who suffered a chest stab injury and recovered well initially, but died days later due to delayed cardiac rupture. The forensic autopsy confirmed delayed cardiac rupture as the cause of death. We also reviewed previous similar reports to provide suggestions in such rare cases in clinical and forensic practice.

Successful management of life-threatening cardiac tamponade by pericardial aspiration in a boy following blunt trauma to the chest

A 7-year-old boy was presented with significant chest pain, reduced consciousness with haemodynamic instability following a minor blunt trauma to the chest. He was diagnosed to have a life-threatening pericardial effusion in FAST (Focused Assessment with Sonography for Trauma scan) ultrasound examination which was confirmed as haemopericardium causing cardiac tamponade in 2D echocardiogram. Emergency cardiac catheterisation ruled out active bleeding and prompt pericardiocentesis under fluoroscopy guidance rapidly restored patients' haemodynamic parameters. He was successfully discharged without complications after a few days. This case report highlights uncommon presentation of cardiac tamponade without major cardiac injury after a minor blunt trauma in a paediatric patient which was detected early and successfully managed without complications.

Late onset hemopericardium with cardiac tamponade from minor blunt chest trauma - a case report

Hemopericardium with cardiac tamponade following minor blunt trauma is a rare, life-threatening condition in children. Without high index of suspicion, diagnosis and intervention may be delayed as the link between the trauma and illness may be missed. We present a 12-year-old female in Nigeria, and highlight challenges in diagnosis.

Cardiac Rupture due to Fall: A Case Study

Studies have shown that cardiac ruptures due to blunt trauma are seen more often than expected. However, epicardial injuries and atrial ruptures are common findings in deaths due to falls. Our aim is to present a unique, isolated cardiac rupture in a 2 year-old child resulting from a fall from a bed, to evaluate autopsy findings among the literature from a medico-legal point of view. Key words: Autopsy, Childhood, Fall