pediatrics
Pulmonary Air Leak Syndromes
Pneumopericardium
Pneumopericardium is dissection of air into the pericardial sac. It affects mechanically ventilated infants almost exclusively. Most cases are asymptomatic, but if sufficient air accumulates, it can cause Pathophysiology . Diagnosis of pneumopericardium is suspected if infants have acute circulatory collapse and is confirmed by lucency around the heart on x-ray or by return of air on pericardiocentesis using an angiocatheter and syringe. Treatment of pneumopericardium is pericardiocentesis followed by surgical insertion of a pericardial tube. 