Penetrating chest trauma with glass: Beware of occult cardiac injuries! A case report

• Fedi Ben Ali

• Rim Karray

  CHU Habib Bourguiba Sfax

• Racem Mnif

• Hana Kessentini

• Mohamed Rebai

• Yosra Mzid

• Abdessalem Hentati

• Khaireddine Ben Mahfoudh

• Olfa Chakroun

• Noureddine Rekik

Penetrating chest trauma involving the heart is a life-threatening emergency requiring rapid diagnosis and immediate surgical intervention. While knives or firearms most commonly cause cardiac injuries, atypical foreign bodies such as glass fragments pose similar critical risks but remain rare. This case report describes a 31-year-old male who was assaulted with a broken beer bottle, resulting in a 3 cm penetrating wound in the left anterior axillary line. Initial findings included a left hemopneumothorax and a 4 cm glass fragment lodged near the right ventricle, without pericardial effusion in E-FAT and CT scan. The patient remained hemodynamically stable and was rapidly taken to surgery. A thoracotomy was performed with the extraction of the glass fragment and repair of a non-transfixing right ventricular myocardial wound. Postoperative recovery was favorable. This case highlights the importance of cautious evaluation in penetrating chest trauma, even in the absence of pericardial effusion, and the critical role of prompt surgical management to ensure survival

1. Fedi Ben Ali

   Emergency Department, Habib Bourguiba University Hospital, Sfax, Tunisia

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