[Pneumopericardium: a race against time! Case report and literature review].

An 81-year-old woman without any known previous disease was admitted for epigastralgia, nausea, vomiting and anorexia since 15 days. The investigations disclosed a pneumopericardium which was caused by the perforation of a gastric ulcer, situated on the collar of an hiatal hernia. A pericardial drainage and a suture of the ulcer were performed, but the patient could not be saved. Despite an optimal treatment composed of pericardial drainage, specific surgery and intensive care, the mortality rate of pneumopericardium is still around 50% proving the severity of this illness.