Non-surgical resolution of pneumocephalus following a sneeze.

Pneumocephalus is defined as the abnormal presence of air in the intracranial cavity. Pneumocephalus is most commonly caused by trauma, but there are rare reports of pneumocephalus secondary to allergy-induced sinusitis. In this report, we present a woman in her 60s who presented to the emergency department with a chief complaint of headache after experiencing a 'popping' sensation in her ears while sneezing. Over the course of a day, she began experiencing severe pain across the forehead along with copious amounts of clear rhinorrhea. A head CT without contrast was ordered, and findings revealed large amounts of intracranial air visualised diffusely throughout the subarachnoid spaces and the anterior horn of the left lateral ventricle. A diagnosis of pneumocephalus was confirmed. This patient made a full recovery without surgical intervention. Standard conservative therapy included bed rest, head elevation, avoidance of activities that increase intracranial pressure and antibiotic prophylaxis for meningitis.

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.

Use of oxygen therapy for pneumocephalus: a systematic review.

Pneumocephalus is the pathologic collection of air in the intracranial cavity. In sufficient volumes, it can contribute to symptoms ranging from headaches to death. For conservative treatment, oxygen use is commonplace. Although this is an accepted tenet of clinical practice, it is not necessarily founded on robust trials. An electronic search of databases EMBASE and MEDLINE and the Cochrane Library was undertaken as per the 2020 Preferred Reporting Items of Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement. Three articles were included. Although the modes of oxygen delivery were heterogenous (non-rebreather versus endotracheal versus hyperbaric chamber), all studies concluded favorably on the use of oxygen therapy for increased reabsorption of pneumocephalus.

Air travel with pneumocephalus: a systematic review.

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. This search returned 144 results. To be included, a paper needed to fulfil each of the following criteria: (i) peer-reviewed publication of case reports, surveys, simulations or laboratory experiments that focussed on air travel with pre-existing pneumocephalus; (ii) available in full text. RESULTS: Thirteen studies met the inclusion criteria after title or abstract screening. We additionally identified five more articles when reviewing the references. A notion that repeatedly surfaced is that any air contained within the neurocranium increases in volume at higher altitude, much like any extracranial gas, potentially resulting in tension pneumocephalus or increased intracranial pressure. DISCUSSION: Relatively conservative thresholds for patients flying with pneumocephalus are suggested based on models where the intracranial air equilibrates with cabin pressure, although intracranial air in a confined space would be surrounded by the intracranial pressure. There is a discrepancy between the models and case presentations in that we found no reports of permanent or transient decompensation secondary to a pre-existing pneumocephalus during air travel. Nevertheless, the quality of examination varies and clinicians might tend to refrain from reporting adverse events. We identified a persistent extracranial to intracranial fistulous process in multiple cases with newly diagnosed pneumocephalus after flight. Finally, we summarised management principles to avoid complications from pneumocephalus during air travel and argue that a patient-specific understanding of the pathophysiology and time course of the pneumocephalus are potentially more important than its volume.

Pneumocephalus as result of nonsurgical peri-implantitis treatment with an air-polishing device for submucosal debridement-A case report.

BACKGROUND: A subcutaneous emphysema is an infrequent but potentially life-threatening complication after dental treatment involving instruments functioning with pressurized air. Emphysemata after the use of high-speed handpieces and air-syringes are well documented, however, more recently several reports on emphysemata produced by air-polishing devices during management of peri-implant biological complications have appeared. To the best of our knowledge, direct development of pneumocephalus after a dental procedure has never been reported before. Introduction of air likely contaminated with oral bacteria to the intracranial space bares the risk of developing meningitis. CASE PRESENTATION: This case report describes the spreading of a subcutaneous emphysema into the intracranial space (i.e., development of a pneumocephalus) after treatment of a peri-implantitis lesion with an air-polishing device equipped with the nozzle for submucosal debridement. A subcutaneous emphysema was noticed during the use of an air-polishing device and the subsequent computed tomography (CT) examination revealed a quite unexpected spreading of the emphysema into the intracranial space. The patient was admitted to the hospital for close surveillance, CT follow-up, and intravenous antibiotics to prevent the development of meningitis due to the introduction of air-likely contaminated with oral bacteria-into the intracranial space. After 3 days, the patient was discharged in good condition without any further complications. CONCLUSION: In case of an extensive subcutaneous emphysema as result of a dental procedure, a more extended radiographic examination including the mediastinal and cranial space should be considered, to assess the risk for potentially life-threatening complications.

Delayed pneumocephalus induced by repeated percutaneous aspiration after spinal surgery: A case report and literature review.

RATIONALE: Severe tension pneumocephalus can lead to drowsiness, coma, and even brain hernia and death. The occurrence of delayed pneumocephalus after spinal surgery is rarely reported and often ignored. Herein, we report a case of delayed pneumocephalus after repeated percutaneous aspiration following spinal surgery. PATIENT CONCERNS: A 55-year-old man was admitted in October 2020 because of aggravation in bilateral lower limb weakness and dysuria for seven days. He was diagnosed with liver cancer a year ago, and he underwent several operations because of tumor recurrence. The patient underwent thoracic vertebrae tumor excision on this admission, and no cerebrospinal fluid leakage was discovered during surgery. After the third drainage by percutaneous aspiration, the patient complained of severe headache and vomiting on postoperative day 16. DIAGNOSIS: Emergency brain computed tomography revealed massive pneumocephalus. INTERVENTIONS: Thereafter, suction drainage was discontinued, and he was placed on bed rest and administered intravenous mannitol. OUTCOMES: Repeated computed tomography showed complete resolution of the pneumocephalus after five days. LESSONS: Wound exudates and cystic fluid after spinal surgery should be differentiated from cerebrospinal fluid leakage. Reckless percutaneous aspirations can form pneumocephalus in patients with an occult dural injury, and pneumocephalus can occur up to 16 days after surgery. Early diagnosis of pneumocephalus is crucial to avoid severe consequences.

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy in the treatment of pneumocephalus associated with epidural block: case report.

INTRODUCTION: Pneumocephalus is a rare neuraxial blockade complication, which can be associated with severe neurologic changes. CLINICAL CASE: A 51-year-old patient was submitted to left total knee arthroplasty. Postoperatively, a pneumocephalus associated with decreased consciousness was diagnosed as a complication of the epidural analgesia. The treatment used was Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) due to the severity of symptoms. Just after one session of HBOT, there was nearly full pneumocephalus resorption and significant clinical recovery. CONCLUSION: This case report enables anesthesiologists to recognize HBOT as a therapeutic option to be considered when treating severe cases of pneumocephalus.

A rare case of spontaneous otogenic pneumocephalus with pictorial illustration of temporal evolution.

Pneumocephalus is commonly seen on imaging in the setting of craniofacial trauma, skull base tumours, intracranial infection and after neurological intervention. Spontaneous pneumocephalus in the absence of these conditions is exceedingly rare, with only approximately 30 cases reported in the literature to date. Spontaneous otogenic pneumocephalus (SOP) is believed to occur as a result of anomalous communication between the intracranial space and a hyper-pneumatised temporal bone, with either positive extra-to-intracranial pressure or negative intracranial pressure gradient. These anomalous communicating channels may only become clinically apparent when triggered by episodes of acute increase in middle ear pressure during coughing, sneezing, Valsalva manoeuvre or significant change in atmospheric pressure. Patients may exhibit a wide range of neurological symptoms and the aim of treatment is to reduce the risk of complications such as infection and intracranial hypertension. Both conservative and neurosurgical approaches have been described. We report a case of SOP in which the patient was conservatively managed, and spontaneous resolution of pneumocephalus was documented on serial computed tomography (CT) scans. This unique case clearly demonstrates the natural history and temporal evolution of SOP without surgical intervention. This knowledge may potentially obviate the need for surgery, thus reducing morbidity and mortality in patients who are poor surgical candidates.

The Complication of Tension Pneumocephalus After Septoplasty.

ABSTRACT: This paper presents a case of tension pneumocephalus with severe headache 2 days after septoplasty surgery. In such cases, endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) or open approach can be used for repair of the defect. However, pneumocephalus, especially caused by minor defects, improves spontaneously with conservative treatment. In our case, the pneumocephalus was responsive to conservative treatment with bed rest, head elevation. His examinations in the 3rd and 8th months after discharge were uneventful and CT scan revealed no signs of pneumocephalus. In severe headaches developing after septoplasty, the possibility of intracranial complications should be evaluated. Simple conservative treatment should be tried before surgery, but then the patient should be examined at regular intervals.

Tension pneumocephalus, an uncommon complication of oxygen therapy in preterm newborns. Presentation of a case and literature review. / Neumoencéfalo a tensión, una extraña complicación del uso de oxígeno en neonatos. Descripción de un caso y revisión de la literatura.

Tension pneumocephalus is an extremely rare complication of positive-pressure ventilation in neonates, the diagnosis of which requires a high degree of clinical suspicion. We present the case of a preterm newborn, who received high-flow nasal cannula oxygen therapy because of hyaline membrane disease, due to his prematurity, and developed clinical signs of intracranial hypertension. Transfontanellar ultrasound and cranial CT scan revealed significant tension pneumocephalus, which was evacuated with direct needle puncture through the anterior fontanelle.

CSF Leaks due to Electric Scooter Injury.

BACKGROUND: There has been a rapid increase in electric motorized scooter (e-scooter) usage after the introduction of dockless, shareable devices. METHODS: Case series from three tertiary hospitals in Los Angeles between May-September 2019. RESULTS: Five patients had skull base fractures and CSF leaks or pneumocephalus after e-scooter accident, none wore helmets. Two patients were treated with observation alone, two patients were treated with lumbar drain or external ventriculostomy placement, and one patient died of their injuries prior to definitive management. CONCLUSION: Without appropriate safety policies in place, the number of such injuries may increase as the use of e-scooters increase. Laryngoscope, 131:E1035-E1037, 2021.

Intraventricular Tension Pneumocephalus After Subarachnoid Hemorrhage and Removal of an External Ventricular Drain.

Pneumocephalus is defined as an accumulation of air or gas in the intracranial space. It is a common complication after skull surgery or craniofacial trauma, sometimes also caused by gas-producing organisms in the context of an infection, and reported with cerebrospinal fluid draining procedures. Here we report a case of a large intraventricular tension pneumocephalus after removal of an external ventricular drain in a patient with subarachnoid hemorrhage. The acute management included therapy with normobaric oxygen. Despite the large volume of trapped air and its diffuse distribution inside the skull and spine, therapy with 100% normobaric oxygen appears to be safe and efficient for a rapid improvement of the patient's symptoms and the neuroradiological imaging.

Occurrence and management of postoperative pneumocephalus using the semi-sitting position in vestibular schwannoma surgery.

BACKGROUND: The semi-sitting position in neurosurgical procedures is still under debate due to possible complications such as venous air embolism (VAE) or postoperative pneumocephalus (PP). Studies reporting a high frequency of the latter raise the question about the clinical relevance (i.e., the incidence of tension pneumocephalus) and the efficacy of a treatment by an air replacement procedure. METHODS: This retrospective study enrolled 540 patients harboring vestibular schwannomas who underwent posterior fossa surgery in a supine (n = 111) or semi-sitting (n = 429) position. The extent of the PP was evaluated by voxel-based volumetry (VBV) and related to clinical predictive factors (i.e., age, gender, position, duration of surgery, and tumor size). RESULTS: PP with a mean volume of 32 ± 33 ml (range: 0-179.1 ml) was detected in 517/540 (96%) patients. The semi-sitting position was associated with a significantly higher PP volume than the supine position (40.3 ± 33.0 ml [0-179.1] and 0.8 ± 1.4 [0-10.2], p < 0.001). Tension pneumocephalus was observed in only 14/429 (3.3%) of the semi-sitting cases, while no tension pneumocephalus occurred in the supine position. Positive predictors for PP were higher age, male gender, and longer surgery duration, while large (T4) tumor size was established as a negative predictor. Air exchange via a twist-drill was only necessary in 14 cases with an intracranial air volume > 60 ml. Air replacement procedures did not add any complications or prolong the ICU stay. CONCLUSION: Although pneumocephalus is frequently observed following posterior fossa surgery in semi-sitting position, relevant clinical symptoms (i.e., a tension pneumocephalus) occur in only very few cases. These cases are well-treated by an air evacuation procedure. This study indicates that the risk of postoperative pneumocephalus is not a contraindication for semi-sitting positioning.

Extensive Pneumocephalus Caused by Multidrug-Resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae.

Pneumocephalus is a life-threatening event associated with different infectious diseases and trauma. Klebsiella pneumoniae is a gas-forming organism that can cause pneumocephalus. A woman aged 56 years presented with a history of septic shock and community-acquired pneumonia. She was supported by mechanical ventilation in intensive care unit. Multidrug-resistant K. pneumoniae was detected in her blood and tracheal aspirate. Her level of consciousness reduced, and clinical condition was deteriorating. The computed tomography scan of the brain revealed abundant pneumocephalus entities. Multidrug-resistant K. pneumoniae was found in her cerebrospinal fluid while on appropriate antibiotic therapy. She died from acute stroke during her treatment.

Pneumocephalus with Conscious Disturbance After Full Endoscopic Lumbar Diskectomy.

BACKGROUND: Pneumocephalus is a rare complication after an elective lumbar spine surgery. Full endoscopic lumbar diskectomy (FELD) is an evolving minimally invasive surgical procedure gaining its popularity in the past decade. Although seizure was recognized as a possible complication, organic injury to the central nervous system such as pneumocephalus has not yet been reported after FELD. CASE DESCRIPTION: A 63-year-old man with L3-4 intervertebral disk herniation received FELD via the transforaminal approach under general anesthesia. A small dural tear about 2 mm was encountered. After the operation, the patient was unable to recover from anesthesia and failed to be extubated due to tachypnea and generalized tonic-clonic seizures. Emergent brain computed tomography (CT) revealed pneumocephalus in the subdural and subarachnoid space. Pure oxygen was given, and hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBO2) was arranged immediately. Fortunately, he started to regain his consciousness 8 hours after the operation and had full recovery of consciousness on the next day. Follow-up brain CT showed nearly complete resolution of the pneumocephalus. He had no neurologic deficits at final follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: This case report highlights the risk of pneumocephalus with conscious disturbance when a dural tear occurs during FELD under general anesthesia. FELD is safer when performed under local anesthesia because the patient is awake to report his discomfort and thus possible to prevent serious neurologic sequels. An emergent brain CT is critical to obtain a prompt diagnosis and HBO2 is probably helpful for resolving the mass effect caused by the pneumocephalus.

[Intraoperative intracerebral tension pneumocephalus secondary to hydrogen peroxide as a hemostatic agent]. / Neumoencefalo a tension intraoperatorio secundario al uso de peroxido de hidrogeno como agente hemostatico.

TITLE: Neumoencefalo a tension intraoperatorio secundario al uso de peroxido de hidrogeno como agente hemostatico.

Pneumoventricle of Unknown Origin: A Personal Experience and Literature Review of a Clinical Enigma.

BACKGROUND: Pneumocephalus is an uncommon and life-threatening neurologic condition. Air within the ventricular system of the brain is also known as pneumoventricle (PV). It requires emergency treatments to prevent catastrophic neurologic outcomes. Head injury is the most common cause of PV, but there are other well-recognized etiologies in case there is no clear radiological evidence of skull discontinuity. CASE DESCRIPTION: Although this clinical entity has been well described in the literature, our report presents the unique feature of describing a purely ventricular pneumocephalus without evidence of skull base or cranial vault fracture. Therefore, this case presentation explores mysterious causes of fistulous connections with the atmosphere that may lead to air trapped in and around the cranial vault. CONCLUSIONS: The aim of the present paper is to report a case of post-traumatic PV without radiological signs of skull base or convexity fracture in a 72-year-old man, underlining the diagnostic and clinical features, and review the relevant literature.