Giant Organized Pericardial Hematoma Producing Constrictive Pericarditis

Abstract

Massive organized pericardial hematoma secondary to blunt trauma is extremely rare. We report a case of a 69-year-old man referred with refractory ascites who was found to have a 10 X 6 X 8 cm organized pericardial hematoma with hemodynamic characteristics consistent with constrictive pericarditis. The cause was attributed to blunt chest trauma associated with a fall 3 years previously. Excision of the mass and removal of the constricting epicardium relieved his symptomatology. A review of the literature is included.