Occult Pericardial Tamponade Presenting With Altered Mental Status

Pediatr Emerg Care. 2018 May;34(5):e93-e94. doi: 10.1097/PEC.0000000000000878.

Abstract

In the pediatric population, cardiac tamponade may present with altered mental status without any clear signs of trauma. Bedside ultrasound is essential to the early diagnosis of this condition. We describe the case of a 5-year-old boy who sustained a potentially fatal, unrecognized trauma to his chest resulting in cardiac tamponade.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Cardiac Tamponade / diagnosis*
  • Cardiac Tamponade / therapy
  • Child, Preschool
  • Consciousness Disorders / etiology*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Thoracic Injuries / complications*
  • Ultrasonography / methods