Intrapericardial tumbling bullet
Simstein, N.L.
International Surgery 84(4): 361-362
1999
ISSN/ISBN: 0020-8868 PMID: 10667818 Document Number: 503498
Foreign bodies of the pericardium are rare and they are associated most commonly with significant trauma. The diagnosis of a pericardial foreign body can be difficult. One must distinguish between foreign matter in the cardiac chamber or free-floating in the mediastinum. Serial chest X-rays and fluoroscopy were most helpful to us. Neither CT scan nor an echocardiogram were particularly helpful. To prevent pericarditis, either sterile or non-sterile, with potential for other significant complications, removal of a pericardial foreign body is always indicated.