Tension Pneumocephalus Caused by a Communicating Pneumothorax via a Nerve Root Avulsion.

Tension pneumocephalus (TP) is an unusual and potentially life-threatening condition characterized by a large volume of intracranial air causing compression and displacement of the underlying cerebral cortex. The symptoms of TP are non-specific. Diagnosis is generally made by demonstration of the classic "Mount Fuji" sign on computed tomography imaging. TP is most commonly seen in the early postoperative period after craniotomy or trauma involving fractures through the pneumatized sinuses. We present a rare case of TP which resulted from an inadequately decompressed pneumothorax communicating with root avulsions of C8 and T1.

A suprasellar Aerocele as a Complication of Endoscopic Transsphenoidal Surgery: A Case Report.

CSF leak-related pneumocephalus is a rare complication of endoscopic transsphenoidal surgery (ETSS) and has been reported in previous studies. We are presenting a rare case of subdural pneumocephalus, unassociated with CSF leak, that developed in the sellar and suprasellar regions. This complication was diagnosed in an adult male 1 week after the removal of a large tumor in the same site via ETSS. The patient presented with a severe headache and visual deterioration. He was diagnosed by a CT scan and managed emergently via ETSS. The headache was relieved immediately after surgery, and the recent visual deterioration was reversed the next day. As far as we have reviewed in the context of complications of ETSS, no previous study has reported such a complication of pneumocephalus unassociated with CSF leak following ETSS. As a conclusion, pneumocephalus can occur with or without CSF leakage as a complication of ETSS, and it may be avoided by a good (water-tight) sealing of the surgical site.

Tension pneumocephalus related to nasopharyngeal carcinoma: A case report.

Tension pneumocephalus associated with nasopharyngeal carcinoma is an exceptionally rare but potentially fatal condition. We report a case of tension pneumocephalus associated with nasopharyngeal carcinoma treated by radiochemotherapy. Three-month follow-up computed tomography (CT) and positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET-CT) showed significant tumor regression but moderate intracranial pneumocephalus. Four days later, the patient was found in a comatose state and emergency brain CT showed extensive pneumocephalus with transtentorial descending and right temporal herniations. The patient died 5 days later. A summary of tension pneumocephalus is presented and the mechanism of fistula formation is discussed. This case enlightens tension pneumocephalus as a possible early complication of nasopharyngeal carcinoma treatment.

Profound Pneumocephalus and Low-Pressure Hydrocephalus Triggered by Ventriculoperitoneal Shunt Placement after Resection, Fat Graft Reconstruction, and Radiotherapy for a Malignant Skull Base Schwannoma.

Background Tension pneumocephalus is a rare postoperative complication, typically presenting with mental status changes or rapid neurological decline after craniotomy. We report a complex case of tension pneumocephalus triggered by graft retraction after ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt placement. Case History A 39-year-old woman with a recurrent left trigeminal cavernous sinus schwannoma, status post one prior resection, two stereotactic radiosurgery treatments, and one course of fractionated radiotherapy, underwent radical resection with orbital exenteration and abdominal fat free graft reconstruction followed by adjuvant radiotherapy for malignant transformation. She developed subacute ventriculomegaly with altered mental status, prompting VP shunt placement. Three weeks later, she presented with profound pneumocephalus and intraventricular air originating from a large, left-sided sphenoid and maxillary defect, from which the fat graft had retracted. A right frontal external ventricular drain (EVD) was placed, resulting in immediate release of air under high pressure. Definitive treatment required skull base reconstruction with a latissimus dorsi free flap, contralateral nasoseptal flap, antibiotics, and VP shunt revision for treatment of combined cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak, pneumocephalus, ventriculitis, and low-pressure hydrocephalus. As of her last follow-up, she was restored to her initial postresection neurological baseline. Conclusion Tension pneumocephalus is a rare and life-threatening emergency that requires immediate neurosurgical intervention. We report the index case of tension pneumocephalus induced by graft retraction following radiotherapy and CSF diversion. Where observed, tension pneumocephalus resulting from a skull base CSF leak may be associated with low-pressure hydrocephalus, and successful long-term management demands balancing the need for CSF diversion against the integrity of the skull base reconstruction.

Congenital Obstructive Hydrocephalus With Status Post-endoscopic Third Ventriculostomy Bilateral Subdural Hygroma and Pneumocephalus: A Case Report.

Pediatric neurosurgery faces a major difficulty in the treatment of hydrocephalus, a condition marked by an abnormal build-up of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in the brain. Its prevalence varies between 0.5 and 0.8 per 1,000 live births worldwide, with different etiologies, including congenital abnormalities and acquired diseases. With benefits including a lower risk of infection and avoiding issues due to the shunt, endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV) has become a beneficial surgical technique in certain instances. Bypassing clogged ventricular channels, ETV creates a new channel for CSF drainage. Despite its effectiveness, a thorough examination of underlying disease and anatomical variables is necessary for positive outcomes in patient selection. To give patients, the best possible care, this article attempts to summarize the prevalence of hydrocephalus and the part that ETV plays in managing it. It also emphasizes the significance of customized surgical techniques. It is critical to comprehend the incidence of hydrocephalus and available treatment choices to enhance the infant's quality of life and long-term outcomes.

Pneumocephalus with Inverted Papilloma in the Frontoethmoidal Sinus: Case Report and Literature Review.

Here, we describe the unique case of a pneumocephalus originating from an inverted papilloma (IP) in the frontoethmoidal sinus. A 71-year-old man with diabetes presented with headaches and altered consciousness. Imaging revealed the pneumocephalus together with bone destruction in the left frontal sinus. He underwent simultaneous endoscopic endonasal and transcranial surgery using an ORBEYE exoscope. Pathological diagnosis of the tumor confirmed IP. Post-surgery, the pneumocephalus was significantly resolved and the squamous cell carcinoma antigen level, which had been elevated, decreased. This case underscores the importance of a multidisciplinary approach and innovative surgical methods in treating complex sinonasal pathologies.

Pneumocephalus: A Rare Complication of Sinusitis in a Pediatric Patient.

Pneumocephalus is uncommon, mostly arising as a result of surgery, trauma, infection, or neoplasm. Spontaneous occurrence is extremely rare and few case studies have been published. Pneumocephalus may also present as a complication of sinusitis and is a potential emergency. It is necessary to make a prompt diagnosis in order to direct treatment toward the underlying cause. Although usually asymptomatic, pneumocephalus can lead to tension pneumocephalus or septic meningitis as the result of infection from bacteria. We present a case of spontaneous, non-traumatic pneumocephalus in the setting of pansinusitis in a pediatric patient. Our aim is to briefly discuss the etiology and emergency department evaluation and management of patients with pneumocephalus.

Acute Streptococcus pneumoniae Meningitis: A Case Report.

A 69-year-old woman without significant medical history presented to an emergency department for evaluation and management of altered mental status and a 10-day history of worsening symptoms of upper respiratory infection. Two days previously, she had been evaluated at an urgent care center, where she reported productive cough and neck pain. Evaluation in the emergency department aroused suspicions of sepsis and meningitis, and computed tomography of the head revealed nontraumatic pneumocephalus with evidence of bony erosion of the sinus into the brain. Culture results revealed disseminated Streptococcus pneumoniae. Cerebral vasculopathy secondary to the meningitis caused bilateral acute ischemic strokes in areas of the brain, with the potential to lead to significant disability.

Fibrous dysplasia of paranasal sinuses with anterior skull-base extension presenting with pneumocephalus; a case report.

Background: Fibrous dysplasia is a benign fibro-osseous lesion where normal bone is replaced with immature dysplastic woven bone and fibrous tissue. Fibrous dysplasia has the potential to involve multiple bones of the craniofacial area in a rare condition. Management of this involvement type should be assessed carefully. Case report: Here, we report a 52-year-old man with progressive and bilateral frontal headache. The radio/pathologic diagnosis revealed fibrous dysplasia of paranasal sinuses with anterior skull-base extension and pneumocephalus. The patient underwent a craniotomy, and 2 weeks after the procedure, the symptoms were alleviated without any complications. Conclusion: in case of fibrous dysplasia, patients with new onset and/or mild symptoms may have extensive lesions in multiple craniofacial bones.

Unique Presentation of a Ubiquitous Organism: Capnocytophaga canimorsus Meningitis With Pneumocephalus.

Capnocytophaga canimorsus is a bacterium commonly found in the oral cavities of cats and dogs. Infections are particularly common in immunocompromised patients who have been exposed to bites or come in contact with saliva from these animals. The manifestations of infection include bacteremia, fever, and, rarely, meningitis. Diagnosis is challenging given the bacteria has slow growth on culture media. The organism is susceptible to beta-lactam antibiotics, with higher-generation cephalosporins recommended for treating meningitis. We present a case of a 74-year-old woman with altered mental status and no signs of immunosuppression. She was diagnosed with meningitis caused by Capnocytophaga, with an intriguing finding of pneumocephalus, which is a rare occurrence as per literature review.

Recurrent Psychotic Depression Associated with Chronic Subdural Haematoma: A Case Report.

Chronic subdural hematomas (CSDH) with isolated psychiatric presentation are rare. In this paper, we report a case of 77-year-old-female patient who had psychotic depression after repetitive head trauma without any neurological symptoms. The brain magnetic resonance imaging revealed an 20 mm subdural hematoma in the right frontoparietal region and a 7 mm subdural hematoma in the left frontal region. The psychiatric symptoms improved within the first week after evacuation but relapsed with the occurrence of right sided pneumocephalus. In the follow up, with the disappearance of the pneumocephalus, the psychiatric symptoms improved. It should be kept in mind that isolated psychiatric symptoms can be seen due to subdural hematoma and evacuation of the hematoma has an important role in improving the psychiatric symptoms.

Tension Pneumocephalus Secondary to Positive Pressure Ventilation Following Endoscopic Endonasal Skull Base Surgery: Three-Year Follow-Up After Implementation of an Institutional Protocol.

BACKGROUND: Tension pneumocephalus (PMC) is a rare and feared complication following the endonasal endoscopic approach (EEA) to skull base procedures. This is a neurosurgical emergency that requires urgent decompression to avoid catastrophic neurologic damage or death. An avoidable cause is the application of positive pressure ventilation (PPV) in EEA patients for postoperative hypoxia. Our institution implemented a hospital-wide protocol in response to this to identify and manage at-risk patients; this paper aims to identify if this protocol was effective in lowering the rates of tension PMC secondary to PPV. RESULTS: In the 3 years following the implementation of the protocol, 110 patients underwent EEAs, from which 1 case of tension PMC (found to be not secondary to PPV) was identified. This is compared with 2 cases of tension PMC secondary to PPV over the preceding 5 years, out of 406 EEA patients. This constitutes a quantifiable reduction in PPV-related tension PMC in both standard and extended approach EEAs, signifying the effective uptake of the protocol. CONCLUSIONS: We found no cases of tension PMC after PPV following EEA skull base surgery in our institution since the implementation of an institution-wide guideline. This underscores the utility of our simple and cost-effective preventative protocol in reducing the overall rates of tension PMC following the inadvertent postoperative application of PPV. Further research is needed to study the comparative risks and benefits of PPV in the post-EEA patient and thus inform future iterations of the protocol.

Tension Pneumocephalus With Acute Cerebellar Symptoms Due to an Intradiploic Epidermoid Cyst Eroding the Mastoid Bone.

This case report presents a unique presentation of an intradiploic epidermoid cyst (IDEC) in a 55-year-old female. She presented with acute cerebellar symptoms triggered by a Valsalva maneuver. IDECs are a rare type of intracranial epidermoid cysts. They are benign and have a slow growth pattern that translates into progressively developing symptoms instead of acute symptoms. Symptoms include local deformities, focal neurologic deficits, and pain. This patient developed acute cerebellar symptoms due to erosion of the mastoid bone that created a pathway between the eustachian tube and the intracranial space via the mastoid air cells. Consequently, tension pneumocephalus emerged via a ball-valve effect that caused a significant mass effect in the posterior fossa. Surgical resection of the IDEC and closing of the mastoid air cells resulted in symptom relief by restoring the integrity of the intracranial-extracranial barrier. This case highlights that a higher level of vigilance is warranted for an IDEC in the proximity of aerated bone structures, such as the mastoid air cells and the paranasal sinuses, and that a more proactive approach is advocated.

Spontaneous Intraventricular Tension Pneumocephalus.

Here, we report a very rare case of spontaneous intraventricular tension pneumocephalus. This case concerns a 40-year-old patient with medical history of a tumor of the pineal region and a secondary hydrocephalus treated by multiple ventriculoperitoneal shunts. He presented in the emergency room because of unusual headaches, nausea, and visual loss. In addition, he reported slight rhinorrhea in the past few weeks. The initial brain computed tomography scan revealed a spontaneous intraventricular tension pneumocephalus. There was no history of recent head trauma and no sign of disconnection of the shunt system. A complementary radiologic assessment including a thin-slice bone computed tomography scan and a radioisotope cisternography revealed an osseous defect and an isotope leakage at the junction between the tegmen tympani and the squamous part of the left temporal bone. A middle cranial fossa surgery was performed to repair the osteo-meningeal breach.

Fatal postoperative tension pneumocephalus after acute subdural hematoma evacuation: a case report.

PURPOSE: Tension pneumocephalus (TP) represents a rare pathology characterized by constant accumulation of air in the intracranial space, being associated with increased risk of herniation, neurologic deterioration and death. Regarding neurosurgical trauma cases, TP is majorly encountered after chronic subdural hematoma evacuation. In this case report, we present a rare case of fatal postoperative TP encountered after craniotomy for evacuation of acute subdural hematoma (aSDH). CASE PRESENTATION: An 83-year old gentleman was presented to the emergency department of our hospital with impaired level of consciousness. Initial examination revealed Glascow Coma Scale (GCS) 3/15, with pupils of 3 mm bilaterally and impaired pupillary light reflex. CT scan demonstrated a large left aSDH, with significant pressure phenomena and midline shift. Patient was subjected to an uneventful evacuation of hematoma via craniotomy and a closed subgaleal drain to gravity was placed. The following day and immediately after his transfer to the CT scanner, he presented with rapid neurologic deterioration with acute onset anisocoria and finally mydriasis with fixed and dilated pupils. Postoperative CT scan showed massive TP, and the patient was transferred to the operating room for urgent left decompressive craniectomy, with no intraoperative signs of entrapped air intracranially. Finally, he remained in severe clinical status, passing away on the eighth postoperative day. CONCLUSION: TP represents a rare but severe neurosurgical emergency that may be also encountered after craniotomy in the acute trauma setting. Involved practitioners should be aware of this potentially fatal complication, so that early detection and proper management are conducted.

Pneumocephalus resulting from traumatic pneumothorax and brachial plexus avulsion.

Background: Traumatic pneumocephalus is commonly encountered after basal skull fractures and rarely associated with blunt chest trauma. Here, we report a case of pneumocephalus caused by traumatic pneumothorax and brachial plexus avulsion. Case Presentation: A 20-year-old male was admitted to our hospital following a motorcycle accident with complete paralysis of the right upper limb. 2 days later, follow-up computed tomography revealed a slight right pneumothorax, pneumomediastinum around the neck, and intracranial air without skull fracture. Air migrates into the subarachnoid space through a dural tear caused by a brachial plexus avulsion. The pneumocephalus immediately improved after the insertion of a chest drain. Conclusion: Pneumothorax combined with brachial plexus avulsion could lead to pneumocephalus. Immediate chest drainage might be the best way to stop the migration of air; however, care should be taken to not worsen cerebrospinal fluid leakage.

Backup Frontal Drainage System for Urgent Tension Pneumocephalus Management After Chronic Subdural Hematoma Surgery: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

OBJECTIVE: To describe a simple variation of burr hole craniostomy for the management of chronic subdural hematoma (CSDH) that uses a frontal drainage system to facilitate timely decompression in the event of tension pneumocephalus and spares the need for additional surgery. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective analysis of 20 patients with CSDH who underwent burr hole craniostomy and 20 patients who underwent the same procedure alongside the placement of a 5 Fr neonatal feeding tube as a backup drainage for the anterior craniostomy. Depending on the situation, the secondary drain stayed for a maximum of 72 hours to be opened and used in emergency settings for drainage, aspiration, or as a 1-way valve with a water seal. RESULTS: The outcomes of 20 patients who underwent this procedure and 20 controls are described. One patient from each group presented tension pneumocephalus. One was promptly resolved by opening the backup drain under a water seal to evacuate pneumocephalus and the other patient had to undergo a reopening of the craniostomy. CONCLUSIONS: The described variation of burr hole craniostomy represents a low-cost and easy-to-implement technique that can be used for emergency decompression of tension pneumocephalus. It also has the potential to reduce reoperation rates and CSDH recurrence. Prospective controlled research is needed to validate this approach further.

Preventing Shift from Pneumocephalus During Deep Brain Stimulation Surgery: Don't Give Up the 'Fork in the Brain'.

Clinical vignette: We present the case of a patient who developed intra-operative pneumocephalus during left globus pallidus internus deep brain stimulation (DBS) placement for Parkinson's disease (PD). Microelectrode recording (MER) revealed that we were anterior and lateral to the intended target. Clinical dilemma: Clinically, we suspected brain shift from pneumocephalus. Removal of the guide-tube for readjustment of the brain target would have resulted in the introduction of movement resulting from brain shift and from displacement from the planned trajectory. Clinical solution: We elected to leave the guide-tube cannula in place and to pass the final DBS lead into a channel that was located posterior-medially from the center microelectrode pass. Gap in knowledge: Surgical techniques which can be employed to minimize brain shift in the operating room setting are critical for reduction in variation of the final DBS lead placement. Pneumocephalus after dural opening is one potential cause of brain shift. The recognition that the removal of a guide-tube cannula could worsen brain shift creates an opportunity for an intraoperative team to maintain the advantage of the 'fork' in the brain provided by the initial procedure's requirement of guide-tube placement.

Osteoblastoma of the frontal sinus: A rare case presenting with seizures and pneumocephalus.

Key Clinical Message: Osteoblastoma of the frontal sinus, although rare, can manifest with seizures and pneumocephalus, underscoring the importance of thorough evaluation and complete surgical excision to prevent serious complications and ensure optimal patient outcomes. Abstract: Osteoblastoma is an infrequent bone tumor, with origins typically in the vertebrae and long bones. While craniofacial involvement is rare, it may occur in regions such as the paranasal sinuses. We present a case of osteoblastoma located in the frontal sinus, an exceptionally uncommon site, resulting in seizures secondary to pneumocephalus. A 21-year-old male presented with a generalized tonic-clonic seizure and postictal confusion. Imaging studies revealed a well-defined lesion in the left frontal sinus causing cortical breach, destruction of the posterior wall, and pneumocephalus. A total surgical excision was performed through bifrontal craniotomy. Histopathological analysis confirmed the diagnosis of osteoblastoma. Postoperative recovery was uneventful, with a follow-up CT scan showing complete lesion excision. Osteoblastomas, especially in the cranial sinuses, are rare entities that may present asymptomatically but can lead to severe complications. The risk of recurrence underscores the importance of complete surgical resection for optimal patient outcomes.