Tension Pneumocephalus

Tension pneumosella has been recognized as a very rare complication of pituitary transsphenoidal surgery. To the best of our knowledge, we report the second case of a pituitary adenoma "pneumo-apoplexy", which is characterized by findings consistent with tension pneumosella in the context of apoplexy of a pituitary adenoma; although it is an extremely rare diagnosis, it should be considered in patients with compatible clinical and radiological findings, particularly with a previous history of transsphenoidal pituitary surgery...

Tension pneumocephalus (TP) is a rare neurosurgical emergency due to the rise of intracranial pressure from air in the cranial cavity. Tension pneumocephalus' clinical presentation ranges from headache, visual alterations, altered mental status, and death. Given its nonspecific clinical presentation, tension pneumocephalus is usually diagnosed via computed tomography (CT) imaging. Open burr hole craniotomy is the preferred treatment method for tension pneumocephalus. Subdural evacuating port system (SEPS) drains have, however, seen increased utilization in neurosurgery due to decreased possibilities for infections, reduced seizure probability, and better outcomes post-surgery, especially for elderly patients...

Tension pneumocephalus is a neurosurgical emergency that occurs when air is trapped in the intracranial cavity, leading to brain compression and causing severe neurological symptoms such as decreases in motor function, sensory function, and consciousness. Most cases of pneumocephalus require conservative treatment; however, because of the possible fatal complications, rapid diagnosis and appropriate treatment are important. Here, we present the case of an 81-year-old male patient who had undergone head trauma three hours prior to being admitted to our emergency room (ER) because of mental cloudiness...

BACKGROUND: Chronic subdural hematoma (CSDH) is a common disease in neurosurgery. The traditional treatment methods include burr hole drainage, bone flap craniectomy and other surgical methods, and there are certain complications such as recurrence, pneumocephalus, infection and so on. With the promotion of neuroendoscopic technology, its treatment effect and advantages need to be further evaluated. AIM: To study the clinical effect of endoscopic small-bone approach in CSDH...

OBJECTIVE: Posterior fossa or midline tumors are often associated with hydrocephalus and primary tumor removal with or without perioperative placement of an external ventricular drain (EVD) is commonly accepted as first-line treatment. Shunting prior to posterior fossa surgery (PFS) is mostly reserved for symptomatic cases or special circumstances. There are limited data regarding the anticipated risk for symptomatic pneumocephalus and the perioperative management using the semi-sitting position (SSP) in such a scenario...

A 72-year-old man who had undergone a lumboperitoneal shunt for idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus was admitted to our emergency department with fever and disturbance of consciousness 8 days after placement. Computed tomography scan showed pneumocephalus and a right-sided temporal porencephalic cyst with a small bone defect in the right petrous bone. Shunt valve pressure was raised from 145 mmH2 O to "virtual off" setting. After 2 weeks, follow-up computed tomography showed improvement of pneumocephalus, and the shunt valve pressure was lowered to 215 mmH2 O...

BACKGROUND: Intracranial air may become trapped inside the cranial vault after cranial surgery, causing tension pneumocephalus with a variety of possible neurological symptoms. The authors reported a unique case in which position-dependent tension pneumocephalus developed after standard pituitary adenoma resection, causing severe intermittent visual symptoms. OBSERVATIONS: A tiny hole in the sellar floor after transsphenoidal surgery created a valve mechanism, allowing pressurized air accumulation inside the tumor capsule that periodically compressed the optic chiasm...

Although it was first described over 100 years ago, lumbar puncture is still an important diagnostic tool for a variety of infectious and noninfectious neurologic conditions. With the widespread use of this common and relatively safe performed medical procedure, minor and major complications can occur even when standard infection control measures and good techniques are used, including post lumbar puncture headaches, infection, bleeding, cerebral herniation, radicular pain, and even pneumocephalus in extremely rare cases...

PURPOSE: Surgical site infection (SSI) is a serious complication after spine surgery. Recently, it has become possible to perform negative pressure wound therapy with instillation and dwell time (NPWTi-d) for postoperative infected wounds. We report the first rare case of symptomatic pneumoencephalopathy following NPWTi-d for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infection after spinal deformity surgery. METHODS: Retrospective review of a patient's medical record and imaging...

Tension pneumocephalus is a rare complication of frontal sinus fracture or neurosurgical intervention resulting from compression of the brain by entrapped air, leading to seizure, altered mental status, brain herniation, and death. This report presents a case of traumatic tension pneumocephalus associated with an anterior and posterior table frontal sinus fracture in a patient with pneumosinus dilatans and osteogenesis imperfecta.

OBJECTIVE: Cerebrospinal fluid leak and pneumocephalus are rare but potentially devastating complications associated with translabyrinthine resection of cerebellopontine angle masses. Persistent pneumocephalus despite proximal eustachian tube (ET) obliteration is rare. We describe, to our knowledge, the first report of successful management of tension pneumocephalus by endoscopic endonasal ET obliteration using a novel V-loc (Covidien; Medtronic, Minneapolis, MN) suture technique. PATIENTS: A 63-year-old man presented with altered mental status 10 months after translabyrinthine excision of a left cerebellopontine angle vestibular schwannoma measuring 2...

We present the case of a 10-year-old male with recurrent CSF leakage after surgery for an occipital tumor. Initial management of the CSF leak, including debridement, re-exploration, and lumbar drain insertion, failed to address the problem. The last resort was the insertion of the EVD, which managed to stop the leak. Cerebrospinal fluid leakage remains one of the most common complications in neurosurgery. CSF leakage can prolong hospitalization, require further surgery, and cause tension pneumocephalus, CSF infection, and wound dehiscence...

INTRODUCTION: Concerns arise when patients with pneumocephalus engage in air travel. How hypobaric cabin pressure affects intracranial air is largely unclear. A widespread concern is that the intracranial volume could relevantly expand during flight and lead to elevated intracranial pressure. The aim of this systematic review was to identify and summarise models and case reports with confirmed pre-flight pneumocephalus. METHODS: The terms (pneumocephalus OR intracranial air) AND (flying OR fly OR travel OR air transport OR aircraft) were used to search the database PubMed on 30 November 2021...

Background: Tension pneumocephalus is a neurosurgical emergency requiring prompt intervention. A variety of either temporizing or definitive methods was previously described as part of its management. Here, we report on an off-label use of a bed-side device and the subdural evacuating port system (SEPS)™ for the treatment of tension pneumocephalus. Methods: The SEPS™ (Medtronic Dublin, Ireland) is a minimally invasive tool that is indicated for the removal of chronic or subacute subdural hematomas and at the patient's bedside...

No abstract text is available yet for this article.

Collection of air in the cranial cavity is called pneumocephalus. Although simple pneumocephalus is a benign condition, accompanying increased intracranial pressure can produce a life-threatening condition comparable to tension pneumothorax, which is termed tension pneumocephalus. We report a case of tension pneumocephalus after drainage of a cerebrospinal fluid hygroma. The tension pneumocephalus was treated with decompression craniotomy, but the patient later died due to the complications related to critical care...

BACKGROUND AND IMPORTANCE: The supraorbital eyebrow craniotomy is a minimally invasive approach that provides access to pathologies of the anterior and middle cranial fossae. Vascularized flaps are preferred when considering reconstructive options, however, small incisions may not provide adequate access to vascularized tissue. We present two cases demonstrating a modified technique for harvesting pericranium through an eyebrow supraorbital craniotomy for reconstruction of large skull base defects...

BACKGROUND: Pneumocephalus is a rare complication presenting in the postoperative period of a thoracoscopic operation. We report a case in which tension pneumocephalus occurred after thoracoscopic resection as well as the subsequent approach of surgical management. CASE SUMMARY: A 66-year-old man who received thoracoscopic resection to remove an intrathoracic, posterior mediastinal, dumbbell-shaped, pathology-proven neurogenic tumor. The patient then reported experiencing progressively severe headaches, especially when in an upright position...

Tension pneumocephalus (TP) can be a life-threatening postoperative complication, but there are limited data owing to its exceedingly low frequency. A 48-year-old man that suffered a head injury survived the acute phase and cranioplasty was performed using a titanium plate. Progressive deterioration of consciousness occurred the day after the cranioplasty. Computed tomography showed the presence of expanded air in the left epidural cavity and a midline shift to the right side. Emergency skin flap reopening was performed...

No abstract text is available yet for this article.