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.

Neumoencéfalo en la paciente puérpera una complicación de la anestesia peridural

Introducción: La utilidad de las técnicas de anestesia regional se ha mostrado por muchos años, estas son las de elección por los beneficios que aporta, como es el caso de la cesárea, aunque no están exentas de complicaciones, y las neurológicas que son las más temidas por la gravedad del cuadro clínico presentado y los posibles desenlaces. Objetivo: Describir la evolución clínica de la puérpera con diagnóstico de neumoencéfalo después de anestesia neuroaxial peridural. Presentación de caso: Se trata de una paciente puérpera con antecedente de cefalea migrañosa que después de ser sometida a una anestesia peridural, comienza con dolor de cabeza ligero a moderado que en un principio aliviaba con analgésicos, después hace una convulsión tónica clónico generalizada que fue necesaria intubar y trasladar a terapia intensiva. Mediante la tomografía axial computarizada se detecta neumoencéfalo de pequeñas proporciones en región parietal, además, de signos de edema cerebral, el cuadro evoluciona satisfactoriamente, la paciente a las horas es trasladad a sala donde se reencuentra con su bebe y días después es dada de alta sin secuelas. Conclusiones: El neumoencéfalo como complicación de la anestesia peridural en la paciente gestante, generalmente no tienen gran repercusión clínica y desaparece solo en un período no mayor de 72 horas, pero en ocasiones puede presentarse como complicación grave que puede acarrear daño neurológico permanente e incluso la muerte.

Introduction: Regional anesthesia techniques have been used for many years and there are surgeries where they are the ones of choice due to the proven benefits they provide, as is the case with anesthesia forces is a section, which is not free of complications, but the neurological ones are the ones. Most feared, due to the complexity of the situation and the possible outcomes they could entail. Objective: To describe the evolution of a postpartum patient who was diagnosed with Pneumocephalus after epidural anesthesia. Clinical case: Postpartum patient with a history of migraine headache, which after undergoing epidural anesthesia, began with light to moderate headache that was initially relieved with analgesics, then had a generalized tonic-clonic seizure that required intubation and transfer to the intensive therapy. Using computed axial tomography, small Pneumocephalus was detected in the parietal region in addition to signs of cerebral edema. The condition progressed satisfactorily. Within hours, the patient was transferred to the ward where she was reunited with her baby and day slater she was discharged without squeals. Conclusions: Pneumocephalus as a complication of epidural anesthesia in pregnant patients generally does not have great clinical repercussions and disappears only in a period of no more than 72 hours, but sometime sit can occur as a serious complication that can lead to permanent neurological damage and even death, death.

Neumoencéfalo como complicación de bloqueo regional epidural por radiculopatía lumbosacra / Pneumocephalus as a Complication of Regional Epidural Block Due to Lumbosacral Radiculopathy

Introducción: El neumoencéfalo (sinonimia: aerocele o neumatocele intracerebral), se define como la presencia de gas dentro de cualquiera de los compartimentos intracraneales (intraventricular, intraparenquimatosa, subaracnoidea, subdural y epidural). Objetivo: Describir los hallazgos clínicos, estudios complementarios, conducta terapéutica y evolución de un caso con neumoencéfalo como complicación de bloqueo regional epidural por radiculopatía lumbosacra. Presentación de caso: Se presentó un paciente masculino de 57 años de edad que comenzó con un cuadro súbito de desorientación, excitabilidad psicomotriz y convulsiones tónico-clónicas, a partir de una inyección epidural de metilprednisolona como método analgésico. Conclusiones: El caso presentado exhibió manifestaciones neurológicas inespecíficas, la aparición súbita posterior al proceder invasivo hizo sospechar en un evento neurológico agudo o fenómeno tromboembólico. Los estudios complementarios como la tomografía axial computarizada craneal simple, permitió su diagnóstico para tener una conducta consecuente. El manejo conservador del neumoencéfalo como complicación del uso de anestesia epidural, constituyó una conducta terapéutica eficaz y repercutió en la satisfactoria evolución del paciente(AU)

Introduction: Pneumocephalus (synonym: aerocele or intracerebral pneumatocele), is defined as the presence of gas within any of the intracranial compartments (intraventricular, intraparenchymal, subarachnoid, subdural and epidural). Objective: To describe the clinical findings, complementary studies, therapeutic conduct and evolution of a case with pneumocephalus as a complication of regional epidural block due to lumbosacral radiculopathy Case presentation: A 57-year-old male patient was presented who began with a sudden episode of disorientation, psychomotor excitability and tonic-clonic seizures, following an epidural injection of methylprednisolone as an analgesic method. Conclusions: The case presented exhibited non-specific neurological manifestations, the sudden appearance after the invasive procedure raised suspicion of an acute neurological event or thromboembolic phenomenon. Complementary studies such as simple cranial computed axial tomography, allowed its diagnosis to have a consistent conduct. The conservative management of pneumocephalus as a complication of the use of epidural anesthesia constituted an effective therapeutic approach and had an impact on the patient's satisfactory evolution(AU)

Modified Puerto Rico Recurrence Scale for chronic subdural hematomas: augmenting the grading scale with postoperative pneumocephalus volume.

BACKGROUND: Chronic subdural hematomas (CSDHs) are common in the elderly, with a relatively high rate of recurrence after initial surgical intervention. Our research team previously created a predictive grading system, the Puerto Rico Recurrence Scale (PRRS), to identify patients at high risk of CSDH recurrence. In this study, we introduce a modification of the (mPRRS) that includes pneumocephalus volume, which has been independently associated with recurrence. METHODS: A single-center Puerto Rican population-based retrospective study was performed to analyze data for patients treated for CSDH at 1 institution between July 1, 2017, and December 31, 2019. Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to create a grading scale predictive of recurrence. Retrospective validation was conducted for the cohort. RESULTS: Of 108 patients included in the study, 42 had recurrence, and 66 had nonrecurrence. Postoperative subdural space, postoperative midline shift, and pneumocephalus volume were all higher with recurrence (P = 0.002, P = 0.009, and P < 0.001, respectively). Multivariate analysis was used to create a 6-point grading scale comprising 3 variables (pneumocephalus volume [< 10, 10-20, 21-30, and > 30 cm3], postoperative midline shift [< 0.4, 0.41-1.0, and > 1.0 cm], and laterality [unilateral and bilateral]). Recurrence rates progressively increased in low-risk to high-risk groups (2/18 [11%] vs 21/34 [62%]; P < 0.003). CONCLUSION: The mPRRS incorporating pneumocephalus measurement improves CSDH recurrence prediction. The mPRRS indicated that patients with higher scores have a greater risk of recurrence and emphasized the importance of measuring postoperative variables for prediction. The mPRRS grading scale for CSDHs may be applicable not only to the Puerto Rican population but also to the general population.

Neumoencéfalo, una revisión de literatura / Pneumocephalus, a literature review

El neumoencéfalo corresponde a la presencia de aire intracraneal y, en general, es asintomático y autolimitado. Puede ocurrir posterior a trauma, cirugía craneofacial, defectos congénitos, infección, neoplasia o de forma espontánea. El neumoencéfalo a tensión es una emergencia neuroquirúrgica, en la que se acumula aire intracraneal de forma continua que genera un efecto de masa. Clínicamente, se caracteriza por cefalea y un deterioro neurológico marcado. A pesar de ser poco frecuente, es relevante considerar el neumoencéfalo a tensión como una posible complicación en pacientes con antecedente de neurocirugía y/o cirugía otorrinolaringológica, debido a que es una patología potencialmente grave. El diagnóstico es clínico e imagenológico, y requiere de un alto índice de sospecha. Un manejo oportuno es relevante para prevenir la herniación y la muerte.

Pneumocephalus refers to the presence of air in the cranial cavity, and in general, is self-limited and asymptomatic. It can occur after trauma, craniofacial surgery, due to congenital defects, infection, neoplasia or spontaneously. Tension pneumocephalus is a neurosurgical emergency in which intracranial air accumulates continuously, causing a mass effect. It presents with headache and marked neurological deterioration. Despite being rare, it is relevant to consider tension pneumocephalus as a possible complication in patients with a history of neurosurgery and/or otolaryngology surgery, as it can be life-threatening. Diagnosis requires a high index of suspicion and imagenologic confirmation. Timely management is relevant to prevent herniation and death.

Neumoencéfalo recurrente post quirúrgico, a raíz de dos casos / Post-surgical late pneumoencephalus, based on two cases

El neumoencéfalo es una patología que comúnmente se presenta después de cirugía neuroquirúrgica y ocasionalmente endonasal. Estos se suelen manejar de manera conservadora, sin embargo, se pueden asociar a distintas etiologías las cuales los hacen recurrir. En este reporte presentamos dos casos de neumoencéfalo tardío post quirúrgico asociado a fístulas de LCR de bajo flujo, donde se discute su clínica, etiología y manejo posterior.

Pneumocephalus is a pathology that commonly occurs after endonasal surgery, these are usually managed conservatively, however they can be associated with different etiologies which make them recur. In this report we present two cases of post-surgical late pneumocephalus associated with low-flow CSF fistulae, where its symptoms, etiology, and subsequent management are discussed.

Indicators of correct targeting in stereotactic biopsy of intracranial lesions.

Background: Confirmation of whether a stereotactic biopsy was performed in the correct site is usually dependent on the frozen section or on novel tumor-specific markers that are not widely available. Immediate postoperative computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance (MR) is routinely performed in our service after biopsy. In this retrospective study, we have carefully analyzed these images in an attempt to determine the presence of markers that indicate appropriate targeting. Methods: Medical records and neuroimages of patients who underwent stereotactic biopsy of intracranial lesions were reviewed. The following variables were assessed: age, sex, anatomopathology, lesion site, complications, diagnostic accuracy, and the presence of image markers. Results: Twenty-nine patients were included in this case series. About 96.6% of the biopsies were accurate according to the permanent section. Of the 86.2% of patients with intralesional pneumocephalus on the postoperative images, 51.7% additionally presented petechial hemorrhage. In 13.8% of the cases, no image markers were identified. Conclusion: This is the first report of intralesional pneumocephalus and petechial hemorrhage as indicators of appropriate targeting in stereotactic biopsy. In the majority of the cases, an immediate postoperative head CT, which is widely available, can estimate how adequate the targeting is. To use intralesional pneumocephalus/ petechial hemorrhages as not only postoperative but also as intraoperative markers of appropriate targeting, it is advised that the surgical wound should be temporarily closed and dressed after the biopsy so that the patient can undergo a CT/MR scan and be checked for the presence of theses markers before removing the stereotactic frame.

Unilateral Tension Pneumocephalus of the Sylvian Fissure: A Rare Neurosurgical Complication.

Tension pneumocephalus is an uncommon complication of neurosurgical procedures. We report a patient who presented with headache, vomiting, left hemiparesis and rhinorrhea 30 days after correction of a recurrent nasal cerebrospinal fluid fistula and shunt placement. A computed tomography scan revealed a massive collection of air with air-fluid level in the right sylvian fissure and midline shift. A right pterional craniotomy was performed and a small corticectomy resulted in evacuation of air from the sylvian fissure. A dural graft from the previous surgery was recognized to be acting as a ball-valve mechanism, trapping air from the nasal cavity. It was removed and the cranial defect was corrected with a split calvarial bone graft. Follow-up brain computed tomography revealed complete resolution of pneumocephalus. After surgery there was progressive improvement of neurological symptoms over 10 days, and the patient was asymptomatic after 1 month of follow-up.

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.

Fístula Liquórica Esfenoidal Espontânea ­ relato de caso / Spontaneous sphenoidal liquor fistula - Case report

Introdução: fístula liquórica rinogênica é uma comunicação do espaço subaracnóideo com a fossa nasal ou seios paranasais, decorrentes a um defeito anatômico da dura-máter, osso e mucosa. As fístulas liquóricas nasais espontâneas são eventos raros, cerca de 3%, com possíveis complicações deletérias e uma causa definida. Relato de caso: o caso relatado é de paciente de 47 anos, com queixa de cefaleia de forte intensidade, diagnosticado com fístula liquórica esfenoidal espontânea. Conclusão: o otorrinolaringologista tem importante papel em realizar o diagnóstico e assistir o paciente com fístula liquórica rinogênica.

Introduction: rhinoid cerebrospinal fluid fistula is a communication of the subarachnoid space with the nasal fossa or paranasal sinuses, due to an anatomical defect of the dura mater, bone and mucosa. Spontaneous nasal fluid fistulas are rare events, about 3%, with possible deleterious complications and a definite cause. Case report: the case reported is a 47-year-old patient complaining of severe headache, diagnosed with spontaneous sphenoidal cerebrospinal fluid fistula. Conclusion: has an important role in the diagnosis and assistance of cases with rhinoid cerebrospinal fluid fistula.

Intractable intraoperative brain herniation secondary to tension pneumocephalus: a rare life-threatening complication during drainage of subdural empyema / Herniação cerebral intratável secundária a pneumoencéfalo hipertensivo no intraoperatório: uma complicação rara com risco para a vida durante a drenagem de empiema subdural

Abstract Tension pneumocephalus is rare but has been well documented following trauma and neurosurgical procedures. It is a surgical emergency as it can lead to neurological deterioration, brainstem herniation and death. Unlike previous cases where tension pneumocephalus developed postoperatively, we describe a case of intraoperative tension pneumocephalus leading to sudden, massive open brain herniation out of the craniotomy site. The possible causative factors are outlined. It is imperative to rapidly identify possible causes of acute intraoperative brain herniation, including tension pneumocephalus, and institute appropriate measures to minimize neurological damage.

Resumo O pneumoencéfalo hipertensivo é raro, mas foi bem documentado após trauma e procedimentos neurocirúrgicos. Trata-se de uma emergência cirúrgica porque pode levar à deterioração neurológica, herniação do tronco cerebral e morte. Ao contrário de casos anteriores, nos quais o pneumoencéfalo hipertensivo se desenvolveu no pós-operatório, descrevemos um caso de pneumoencéfalo hipertensivo desenvolvido no período intraoperatório que levou a uma herniação cerebral súbita, maciça e aberta para fora do local da craniotomia. Os possíveis fatores causais são destacados. É imperativo identificar rapidamente as possíveis causas da herniação cerebral aguda no intraoperatório, incluindo o pneumoencéfalo hipertensivo, e instituir medidas apropriadas para minimizar os danos neurológicos.

[Intractable intraoperative brain herniation secondary to tension pneumocephalus: a rare life-threatening complication during drainage of subdural empyema]. / Herniação cerebral intratável secundária a pneumoencéfalo hipertensivo no intraoperatório: uma complicação rara com risco para a vida durante a drenagem de empiema subdural.

Tension pneumocephalus is rare but has been well documented following trauma and neurosurgical procedures. It is a surgical emergency as it can lead to neurological deterioration, brainstem herniation and death. Unlike previous cases where tension pneumocephalus developed postoperatively, we describe a case of intraoperative tension pneumocephalus leading to sudden, massive open brain herniation out of the craniotomy site. The possible causative factors are outlined. It is imperative to rapidly identify possible causes of acute intraoperative brain herniation, including tension pneumocephalus, and institute appropriate measures to minimize neurological damage.

Review of the management of pneumocephalus.

BACKGROUND: Pneumocephalus (PNC) is the presence of air in the intracranial cavity. The most frequent cause is trauma, but there are many other etiological factors, such as surgical procedures. PNC with compression of frontal lobes and the widening of the interhemispheric space between the tips of the frontal lobes is a characteristic radiological finding of the "Mount Fuji sign." In addition to presenting our own case, we reviewed the most relevant clinical features, diagnostic methods, and conservative management for this condition. CASE DESCRIPTION: A 74-year-old male was diagnosed with meningioma of olfactory groove several years ago. After no improvement, surgery of the left frontal craniotomy keyhole type was conducted. A computed tomography (CT) scan of the skull performed 24 h later showed a neuroimaging that it is described as the silhouette of Mount Fuji. The treatment was conservative and used continuous oxygen for 5 days. Control CT scan demonstrated reduction of the intracranial air with normal brain parenchyma. CONCLUSION: The review of the literature, we did not find any cases of tension pneumocephalus documented previously through a supraorbital keyhole approach. There are a few cases reported of patients with Mount Fuji signs that do not require surgical procedures. The conservative treatment in our report leads to clinical and radiological improvement as well as a reduction in hospitalization time.

Neumoencéfalo otológico espontáneo, revisión bibliográfica a partir de un caso clínico / Spontaneous otogenic pneumocephalus. Literature review from a clinical case

El neumoencéfalo espontáneo de origen otológico es una patología potencialmente mortal, infrecuente y escasamente reportada en la literatura. Resulta interesante conocer su presentación clínica y manejo. Para el diagnóstico es importante tener la sospecha clínica y el estudio de imágenes con tomografía computarizada (TC) habitualmente muestra la dehiscencia en el hueso temporal. El tratamiento debe tener un enfoque multidisciplinario. La decisión de tratamiento conservador y quirúrgico va estar determinado por la gravedad del paciente y características del defecto.

Pneumocephalus otic spontaneous origin is a potentially fatal disease, infrequent and rarely reported in the literature. It is interesting to know its clinical presentation and management. To diagnose it is important to clinical suspicion and imaging study with CT usually shows dehiscence of the temporal bone. Treatment should be a multidisciplinary approach. The decision of conservative and surgical treatment will be determined by the severity of the patient and defect characteristics.

Tension pneumoventricle after resection of a fourth ventricle choroid plexus papilloma: An unusual postoperative complication.

BACKGROUND: Pneumocephalus is defined as the presence of air within the intracranial vault. A common complication of head trauma and surgery, pneumocephalus is usually related to ventricular shunts, craniotomies, and surgery in the sitting position. Tension (symptomatic) pneumoventricle is a rare entity associated with significant clinical morbidity. CASE DESCRIPTION: We report an unusual case of a 15-year-old girl with tension pneumoventricle developed shortly after removal of a choroid plexus papilloma of the fourth ventricle by a midline suboccipital approach while in the sitting position. CONCLUSION: The presence of a cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) diversion system that causes a decrease in intracranial pressure and the existence of a craniodural defect with or without an obvious CSF leak may be the cause of tension pneumoventricule. According to our present understanding, this is the first report of this peculiar complication of fourth ventricular surgery. We discuss clinical manifestations, surgical management, contributing factors, and mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of tension pneumoventricle.

Pneumoencéfalo associado a trauma de face: relato de caso / Pneumocephalus associated with facial trauma: a case report

O pneumoencéfalo consiste em um acúmulo de ar no interior da cavidade intracraniana, podendo ou não estar associado à ruptura da dura-máter. Devido à sua localização, os principais sintomas ocorrem em consequência da hipertensão intracraniana, caracterizando cefaleia, convulsão, diminuição do nível de consciência, náusea, vômito, tontura e hemiparesia. O presente trabalho tem o objetivo de relatar um caso clínico de paciente de gênero masculino, 27 anos de idade, vítima de acidente automobilístico com trauma em face e crânio, apresentando, em primeiro atendimento, assimetria facial com afundamento de região zigomática direita, epistaxe sem aparente alteração nasal, diplopia, diminuição de acuidade auditiva esquerda, sem mobilidade ou crepitação óssea à manipulação de terço médio de face e diminuição de acuidade auditiva esquerda evoluindo, em 12 horas, com paralisia e parestesia em hemiface esquerda, cefaleia frontal e tontura após assumir posição ortostática revelando, em TC de crânio, diversas imagens hipodensas em região intracraniana compatível com pneumoencéfalo maciço, realizando acompanhamento clínico deste com involução do caso em 6 dias.

Pneumocephalus consists of an accumulation of air inside the intracranial cavity, and may or may not be associated with the rupture of the dura mater. Due to its location, the main symptoms occur as a result of intracranial hypertension, characterizing headache, seizure, decreased level of consciousness, nausea, vomiting, dizziness and hemiparesis. The present study sets out to report a case of a 27-year-old male patient, a car accident victim with facial and skull trauma, presenting originally a facial asymmetry with sinking of the right zygomatic region, epistaxis with no apparent nasal alteration, diplopia, decreased left hearing acuity, manipulation without mobility or crackling bone of the middle third of the face and progressing in twelve hours to paralysis and numbness in the left hemiface, frontal headache and dizziness in the standing position. A cranial CT scan showed several hypodense images in the intracranial region compatible with massive pneumocephalus. A clinical follow-up revealed involution of the case in 6 days.

Spontaneous intraparenchymal otogenic pneumocephalus: A case report and review of literature.

BACKGROUND: Pneumocephalus is commonly associated with head and facial trauma, ear infection, or surgical interventions. Spontaneous pneumocephalus caused by a primary defect at the temporal bone level without association with pathological conditions is very rare. Few cases have been published with purely intraparenchymal involvement. We describe a rare case of spontaneous pneumocephalus arising from the mastoid cells with intraparenchymal location and present an extensive review of the existing literature. CASE DESCRIPTION: A 57-year-old woman presented a brief episode of sudden otalgia in her left ear that was followed by a motor aphasia. Imaging revealed a left temporal intraparenchymal pneumocephalus in a close relationship with a highly pneumatized temporal bone. Left temporal craniotomy and decompression were performed. Further subtemporal exploration confirmed a dural defect and other osseous defects in the tegmen tympani, which were both consequently closed watertight. CONCLUSION: Although extremely rare, a spontaneous intraparenchymal pneumocephalus with mastoidal origin should be considered as a possible diagnosis in patients with suggestive otological symptoms and other non-specific neurological manifestations. Surgery is indicated to repair bone and dural defects.