ICU Chest Films > Air in the Chest > Pneumopericardium
Pneumopericardium
Pneumopericardium, an uncommon occurence, is most often found in the post-operative cardiac patient. Radiographically, pneumopericardium appears as a lucent area around the heart extending up to the main pulmonary arteries.
Air density within the pericardium (arrows) after aspiration of a large
pericardial effusion.
A lucent stripe along the inferior border of the cardiac silhouette which crosses the midline is also diagnostic for pneumopericardium.
The lucent stripe on the inferior border of the heart is indicative of
pneumopericardium.
What is the name of the sign shown above?
Continuous diaphragm sign
Subcardiac sign
Lucent line sign
