Delayed Hemopericardium and Associated Pericardial Mass after Blunt Chest Trauma

Abstract

The finding of a pericardial effusion in the pediatric population evokes an extensive list of differential diagnoses. With the added history of trauma the effusion should be considered secondary to hemorrhage. We present a patient with such a history who was admitted to the hospital with the finding of a large pericardial effusion and an associated pericardial mass. The evaluation and treatment of this rare pathology are discussed as well as a review of the literature.