A case of pneumopericardium complicating a liver abscess in a patient infected with HIV
Niakara, A.; Bougouma, A.; Cisse, R.
Annales de Cardiologie et d'Angeiologie 48(6): 441-445
1999
ISSN/ISBN: 0003-3928 PMID: 12555342 Document Number: 500984
Pneumopericardium usually occurs in a traumatic context or, more rarely, in the course of benign or malignant bronchial or oesophagogastric diseases. Although the idiopathic spontaneous form is even rarer, pneumopericardium complicating liver abscess is exceptional, and is facilitated by impaired immune defenses (alcoholism, immuno-depression). The authors report a case of liver abscess complicated by pneumopericardium in an HIV seropositive patient. The nature of the abscess, the mechanism of the pneumopericardium and the therapeutic management are discussed.