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.

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.

Fístula nasal de líquido cefalorraquídeo post-traumática. Resultados de la implementación de un protocolo de trabajo / Post-traumatic cerebrospinal fluid nasal leak. Results of the implementation of a work protocol

Introducción: Los pacientes con fracturas de base de cráneo anterior post traumatismo encéfalo-craneano tienen alto riesgo de fístula de líquido céfalo-raquídeo por las fosas nasales. Es importante el manejo oportuno y apropiado, evitando así complicaciones; razón por la cual se desarrolló el "protocolo HP" para su tratamiento quirúrgico. Objetivo: Comunicar la utilidad del "protocolo HP" en el manejo de la fístula de líquido céfalo-raquídeo de la base de cráneo anterior. Materiales y métodos: Estudio transversal retrospectivo con pacientes ≥ 15 años con diagnóstico de fístula de líquido céfalo-raquídeo nasal post traumatismo encéfalo-craneano, desde 1/1/2016 hasta 31/8/2021 que ingresaron al hospital y requirieron cirugía de reparación, con 28 pacientes incluidos, el valor p ˂0,05 (estadísticamente significativo). Resultados: 96,4% hombres, mayoría adultos jóvenes con traumatismo encéfalo-craneano leve; 82,1% presentó fístula de líquido céfalo-raquídeo temprana. Todos requirieron reparación transcraneal frontal, en 67,9% fue bilateral. La reparación antes de los 7 días fue en el 39,3%, 7-21 días en 46,4% y después de 21 días en 14,3% de los casos. Uso de drenaje lumbar continuo: preoperatorio 10,7%, intraoperatorio 60,7%, postoperatorio 46,4%. En el 89,3% la ubicación de la fístula de líquido céfalo-raquídeo intra-quirúrgica fue congruente con la tomografía. Desde el 2020 se sistematizó el manejo de las fístula de líquido céfalo-raquídeo. La recurrencia fue de 10,7% antes del 2020 (posteriormente fue de 0%), asociándose con Glasgow bajo e inicio de fístula de líquido céfalo-raquídeo 7 días post traumatismo encéfalo-craneano (p˂0,05). Complicaciones encontradas: meningitis 28,6%, convulsión 25%, anosmia 14,3%, neumoencéfalo a tensión 7,1% y absceso 3,6%. Mortalidad por fístula de líquido céfalo-raquídeo: 3,6%. Curación 96,4%. Conclusiones: La aplicación del "Protocolo HP" tuvo resultados satisfactorios. La tasa de recurrencia postoperatoria de fístula de líquido céfalo-raquídeo nasal post traumatismo encéfalo-craneano fue 0%(AU)

Background: Patients with anterior skull base fractures after traumatic brain injury have a high risk of cerebrospinal fluid leak through the nostrils. Timely and appropriate management is important, avoiding complications. The "HP protocol" for surgical treatment was developed. Objectives: To communicate the utility of the "HP protocol" in the management of the anterior skull base cerebrospinal fluid leak. Methods: Retrospective cross-sectional study; patients ≥ 15 years old with a diagnosis of nasal cerebrospinal fluid leak after traumatic brain injury, who were admitted at the hospital from 1/1/2016 to 8/31/2021 and required surgery. Included 28 patients, p value ˂0.05 (statistically significant). Results: 96.4% men, mostly young adults with mild traumatic brain injury; 82.1% presented early cerebrospinal fluid leak. All required frontal transcranial repair, in 67.9% it was bilateral. Repair before 7 days was in 39.3%, 7-21 days in 46.4%, and after 21 days in 14.3%. Use of continuous lumbar drainage: preoperative 10.7%, intraoperative 60.7%, postoperative 46.4%. In 89.3%, the location of the intraoperative cerebrospinal fluid leak was consistent with the CT scan. Since 2020, the management of the cerebrospinal fluid leak was systematized. The recurrence was 10.7% before 2020; after it was 0% and associated with low Glasgow and onset of cerebrospinal fluid leak 7 days after traumatic brain injury (p<0.05). Complications: meningitis 28.6%, seizure 25%, anosmia 14.3%, high tension pneumocephalus 7.1% and abscess 3.6%. Cerebrospinal fluid leak mortality: 3.6%. Cure 96.4%. Conclusions: The application of the "HP Protocol" had satisfactory results. The post traumatic brain injury nasal cerebrospinal fluid leak recurrence rate was 0%

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.

Canine intraventricular pneumocephalus: a case report / Pneumoencéfalo intraventricular em cão: relato de caso

Pneumocephalus is a well described disease; it is commonly diagnosed in humans, but the condition is rarely encountered in veterinary medicine. Computed tomography (CT) is the gold-standard diagnostic method for identifying this disease, and other methods (such as necropsy) are rarely described. In this report, we describe necropsy findings of a 10-month-old, mixed-breed dog with intraventricular pneumocephalus. The dog was referred to Laboratory of Animal Pathology of the Federal University of Uberlândia, Brazil, for necropsy after being diagnosed with pneumocephalus upon CT. In the examination, the brain had dilation of both lateral ventricles with empty spaces. Histopathology showed congestion and mineralization only near the lateral ventricles, leading to the diagnosis of pneumocephalus based on the macroscopic findings. The animal also showed sinusitis characterized by nasal discharge and neutrophilic infiltration of nasal sinuses. However, bacterial culture was not conclusive because of contamination of the sample. This is therefore an important report that shows necropsy findings of intraventricular pneumocephalus, which is a rare condition in dogs. By documenting the necropsy findings, we hope to help veterinary pathologists, including those with limited access to diagnostic imaging.

Pneumoencéfalo é uma condição bem descrita e comumente diagnosticada em humanos, mas raramente encontrada na medicina veterinária. A tomografia computadorizada (TC) é o método diagnóstico padrão-ouro para identificar tal alteração, e outros métodos (como a necropsia) raramente são descritos. Neste relato, são apresentados os achados de necropsia de um cão sem raça definida de 10 meses de idade com pneumoencéfalo intraventricular. O cão foi encaminhado ao Laboratório de Patologia Animal da Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Brasil, para necropsia após ser diagnosticado com pneumoencéfalo na TC. No exame, o cérebro apresentava dilatação de ambos os ventrículos laterais com espaços vazios; à histopatologia, foram observadas congestão e mineralização próximas aos ventrículos laterais. Com isso foi estabelecido o diagnóstico de pneumoencéfalo, com base nos achados macroscópicos. O animal também apresentou sinusite caracterizada por secreção nasal e infiltração neutrofílica dos seios nasais. No entanto, a cultura bacteriana não foi conclusiva devido à contaminação da amostra. Este é, portanto, um importante relato que mostra achados de necropsia de pneumoencéfalo intraventricular, que é uma condição rara em cães. Ao documentar os achados da necropsia, esperamos ajudar os patologistas veterinários, incluindo aqueles com acesso limitado a técnicas de diagnóstico por imagem.

Pneumocephalus and suppurative meningoencephalitis in a dog after craniofacial trauma

Background: Pneumocephalus is characterized by the presence of gas in the intracranial compartment, and it can be developed by trauma, craniofacial surgery or spontaneously. Clinical signs start within days or months after the injury and vary according to the site of involvement. Computed tomography is the ideal diagnostic tool, however skull radiography can also be used. Treatment varies according to the severity of the case, and it can be conservative or associated with surgical intervention in the most severe cases. The purpose of this report is to describe the case of a dog that developed pneumocephalus and suppurative meningoencephalitis after head trauma caused by a bite from another dog. Case: A 2-month-old bitch, mixed breed, with 3.2 kg, was referred to the Veterinary Hospital because it had been bitten on the head by another dog. Shortly after the incident, the animal showed no clinical signs. However, 2 days later, the bitch became depressed and in persistent lateral decubitus. A lesion with a crust of approximately 0.5 cm was found close to the occipital region, with bone irregularity on palpation. The animal was in lateral decubitus with muscular hypotonia, bilateral mydriasis unresponsive to light and stupor. Radiographic images showed parietal fracture and pneumocephalus. Based on the findings of physical and laboratorial exams, diagnosis of suppurative meningoencephalitis and pneumocephalus secondary to craniofacial trauma was established. Empirical broad-spectrum antimicrobial therapy was started in addition to mannitol, corticoids, and analgesics. The animal was referred for surgical debridement by trepanation, when samples were collected to bacterial culture, which was negative. Despites the care, the animal died 14 h after the surgical procedure. Histopathological examination of the frontal cortex was performed, being the histological changes compatible with suppurative meningoencephalitis. Discussion: Dog bites on the head and neck are particularly severe, and can create intracranial bleeding, disfigurement of the face, damage to peripheral structures or cranial fractures. In this report, through radiographic images, it was found that the patient had an intracerebral aerocele, since there was presence of gas in the intracranial compartment. This alteration should always be considered in animals with neurological alterations and a history of craniofacial trauma. The main neurological changes observed in the reported case were unresponsive to mydriasis and altered mental status 2 days after the trauma, and this delay in the onset of clinical signs is frequently reported in cases of pneumocephalus. Neutrophilia and leukocytosis observed can be justified by the suppurative meningoencephalitis, confirmed by the histopathological exam. Antimicrobial therapy should be started as soon as possible, and the choice must be based on their capacity to cross the blood-brain barrier and the broad spectrum. The administration of antibiotics before collecting the material for bacterial culture may explain the negative result of this test, so that it is not possible to determine whether the intracranial gas observed on the radiograph may have developed from the trauma or because of gas-producing bacteria. Head trauma can induce suppurative meningoencephalitis and pneumocephalus even in the absence of perforating wounds at the time of the consultation. The neurological signs can start days after the trauma. Besides the clinical and surgical treatments, the prognosis of any bacterial infection of the central nervous system is poor.

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.

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.

Brain Shift and Pneumocephalus Assessment During Frame-Based Deep Brain Stimulation Implantation With Intraoperative Magnetic Resonance Imaging.

BACKGROUND: Brain shift and pneumocephalus are major concerns regarding deep brain stimulation (DBS). OBJECTIVE: To report the extent of brain shift in deep structures and pneumocephalus in intraoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). METHODS: Twenty patients underwent bilateral DBS implantation in an MRI suite. Volume of pneumocephalus, duration of procedure, and 6 anatomic landmarks (anterior commissure, posterior commissure, right fornix [RF], left fornix [LF], right putaminal point, and left putaminal point) were measured. RESULTS: Pneumocephalus varied from 0 to 32 mL (median = 0.6 mL). Duration of the procedure was on average 195.5 min (118-268 min) and was not correlated with the amount of pneumocephalus. There was a significant posterior displacement of the anterior commissure (mean = -1.1 mm, P < .001), RF (mean = -0.6 mm, P < .001), LF (mean = -0.7 mm, P < .001), right putaminal point (mean = -0.9 mm, P = .001), and left putaminal point (mean = -1.0 mm, P = .001), but not of the posterior commissure (mean = 0.0 mm, P = .85). Both RF (mean = -.7 mm, P < .001) and LF (mean = -0.5 mm, P < .001) were posteriorly displaced after a right-sided burr hole. There was a correlation between anatomic landmarks displacement and pneumocephalus after 2 burr holes (rho = 0.61, P = .007), but not after 1 burr hole (rho = 0.16, P = .60). CONCLUSION: Better understanding of how pneumocephalus displaces subcortical structures can significantly enhance our intraoperative decision making and overall targeting strategy.

Post-traumatic Tension Pneumoventricle: Case Report

Pneumoventricle and liquoric fistula are possible complications of traumatic brain injury (TBI), the main cause of morbimortality related to trauma in Brazil. Liquoric fistulae are more common after direct trauma with skull base fractures. However, pneumoventricle is rare and occurs due to excessive cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) drainage in the presence of a poorly compliant ventricle system, resulting in the influx of air to its interior. The pathophysiology of tension pneumoventricle remains uncertain. However, the traumatic cause is certain andmultiple bone fractures of the face and liquoric fistula may contribute to the process. If symptomatic, the tension pneumoventricle can cause rapid clinical deterioration. The authors aim to report a rare case of post-TBI tension pneumoventricle with complete resolution and without signs of recurrence of the liquoric fistula after surgical treatment.

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.

Disc Herniation and Cyst Gas: A Rare Association Causing Radicular Compression

Introduction Intraspinal gas is a common clinical finding, but an epidural gas pseudocyst in association with lateral disc herniation compressing a nerve root is an exceptional observation. Case Report A 49-year-old man was admitted to our department presenting with sciatica. The neurological examination demonstrated moderate lumbar pain without neurological deficit. A lumbosacral computed tomography showed the presence of degenerated disc herniation and epidural gas collection. Discussion The pathological association between the cyst and the hernia is probably due to the migration of gas pumped from the intervertebral space through a breaking point or lower in the annulus fibrosis, involving its contiguity with the herniated disc. Conclusion An association between a disc herniation and a gas pseudocyst can be a cause of sciatica.

Introdução O gás intraespinal é um achado clínico comum, mas um pseudocisto epidural de gás associado a herniação discal lateral comprimindo uma raiz nervosa é uma observação excepcional. Relato de caso Um homem de 49 anos de idade foi admitido em nosso departamento apresentando sintomas de ciática. O exame neurológico demonstrou dor lombar moderada sem déficit neurológico. A tomografia computadorizada lombossacral mostrou presença de hérnia discal degenerada e coleta epidural de gás. Discussão A associação patológica entre o cisto e a hérnia é provavelmente devida à migração do gás bombeado do espaço intervertebral através de um ponto de ruptura ou menor na fibrose do anel, envolvendo a sua contiguidade com o disco herniado. Conclusão Uma associação entre uma hérnia de disco e um pseudocisto de gás pode ser uma das causas de ciática.

[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.