Pneumopericardium in a child – “halo sign” on chest x-ray: A Case Report

Authors

  • Alina Sadaf Department of Pediatric Oncology, Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital and Research Centre, Lahore, Pakistan
  • Aqeela Rashid Department of Pediatric Oncology, Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital and Research Centre, Lahore, Pakistan
  • Sadia Omer Department of Pediatric Intensive Care, Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital and Research Centre, Lahore, Pakistan

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.47391/JPMA.9393

Keywords:

Pneumopericardium, Halo sign

Abstract

A 5 year old boy with acute lymphoblastic leukemia on chemotherapy presented with chest pain and vomiting for two days after an elective procedure under general anesthesia. His chest x-ray was remarkable for a prominent halo sign, an air gap surrounding the heart indicating a large pneumopericardium. Although the pneumopericardium could not be appreciated on an echocardiogram, the child developed clinical signs of cardiac tamponade. Attempts to evacuate the pneumopericardium were unsuccessful leading to death.

Keywords: Pneumopericardium, Halo sign.

Author Biographies

Aqeela Rashid, Department of Pediatric Oncology, Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital and Research Centre, Lahore, Pakistan

Full time pediatric oncology consultant

Sadia Omer, Department of Pediatric Intensive Care, Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital and Research Centre, Lahore, Pakistan

Full time pediatric intensive care consultant

Published

2024-02-11

How to Cite

Sadaf, A., Rashid, A., & Omer, S. (2024). Pneumopericardium in a child – “halo sign” on chest x-ray: A Case Report. Journal of the Pakistan Medical Association, 74(3), 580–581. https://doi.org/10.47391/JPMA.9393

Issue

Section

CASE REPORT