Pneumopericardium in a horse secondary to sternal bone marrow aspiration.

Pneumopericardium following sternal bone marrow aspiration is a complication in man, but has not previously been reported in horses. Most cases of pneumopericardium in man originate secondary to trauma; however, diagnostic and therapeutic interventions (e.g. sternal bone marrow aspirate), fistula formation between the pericardium and gas-containing structures, infection and inflammation in contiguous organs and septic pericarditis can also be causes (Katzir et al. 1989). Sternal bone marrow aspirations or biopsies are performed fairly frequently in horses, with minimal complications; however, thoracic puncture and cardiac laceration have been reported (Berggren 1981; Jacobs et al. 1983). In this article, we describe what we believe to be the first reported case of pneumopericardium as a sequela to sternal bone marrow aspiration. This horse responded to conservative therapy and returned to the previous level of competition.