Blunt traumatic right-sided pericardial rupture without cardiac injury: a case report

Blunt traumatic pericardial rupture is an exceptionally rare condition, often associated with high morbidity and mortality. Isolated pericardial rupture without vascular or cardiac involvement accounts for only 17% of reported cases. We describe a rare case of right-sided pericardial rupture following blunt chest trauma, an unusual presentation since most pericardial tears occur on the left side. A 23-year-old woman involved in a motor vehicle accident sustained multiple injuries, including right hemothorax, bilateral pulmonary contusions, left-sided rib fractures, and a humerus fracture. Although preoperative computed tomography showed no diagnostic findings, persistent bleeding from the right chest tube prompted exploratory thoracotomy. Intraoperative evaluation revealed a 10-cm right pericardial tear extending from the superior vena cava to the inferior vena cava, with no associated cardiac injury. Surgical management included primary closure of the pericardial tear and repair of adjacent pleural injuries. Postoperatively, the patient developed right diaphragmatic palsy due to phrenic nerve involvement. Pericardial rupture is challenging to diagnose, but in this case, persistent hemothorax facilitated early recognition and intervention. Prompt identification allowed timely surgical repair, likely preventing life-threatening complications such as cardiac herniation. This case highlights the importance of considering pericardial rupture in patients with blunt chest trauma presenting with unexplained clinical findings and underscores the value of early surgical management.