Giant organized pericardial hematoma producing constrictive pericarditis: a case report and review of the literature
Brown, D.L.; Ivey, T.D.
Journal of Trauma 41(3): 558-560
1996
ISSN/ISBN: 0022-5282 PMID: 8810985 Document Number: 458931
Massive organized pericardial hematoma secondary to blunt trauma is extremely rare. We report a case of a 69-year-old man referred with refractory ascites who was found to have a 10 times 6 times 8 cm organized pericardial hematoma with hemodynamic characteristics consistent with constrictive pericarditis. The cause was attributed to blunt chest trauma associated with a fall 3 years previously. Excision of the mass and removal of the constricting epicardium relieved his symptomatology. A review of the literature is included.