Pericarditis following blunt thoracic trauma.

Pericarditis is a common clinical entity which has been reported frequently in association with numerous disease processes. However, pericarditis following blunt thoracic trauma is exceedingly rare and difficult to diagnosis. An 18 year-old female was transferred to UAB Hospital for evaluation and management of multiple injuries following a high-speed single-vehicle motor vehicle accident. Injuries included a fractured right tibia and femur, pelvic fracture, and a right pulmonary contusion with rib fractures. Orthopedic procedures were performed. Ventilatory support was provided due to a severe pulmonary contusion. The post-operative course was unremarkable. The patient was discharged two weeks after admission. One week after discharge, the patient was readmitted with pleuritic chest pain of several days duration. Diagnostic studies were performed. The patient was successfully treated with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications for pericarditis. Dramatic improvement ensured over two days. Follow-up showed no recurrence of pericardial symptoms, pleural effusion, or chest pain. In retrospect, complaints of episodic chest pain which were felt to be clinically insignificant during admission, may have been early signs of posttraumatic pericarditis secondary to blunt thoracic trauma.