Tension pneumocephalus following evacuation of chronic subdural haematoma.
Five cases of a rare complication of tension pneumocephalus following evacuation of chronic subdural haematoma are described. This occurred in 8% of all cases of chronic subdural haematoma treated following installation of a CT scanner. The chronically compressed brain contributes to the ingress of this intracranial air. The increase in the brain bulk and gradual re-expansion of the brain, in the early postoperative period, competes with the trapped subdural air resulting in a rise in intracranial pressure leading to neurological deterioration. Twist drill craniostomy and aspiration, using a brain cannula with a three-way connector, has produced excellent results.
Sharma
B S
BS
Department of Neurosurgery, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India.
Tewari
M K
MK
Khosla
V K
VK
Pathak
A
A
Kak
V K
VK
D002648:Child; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005260:Female; D006408:Hematoma, Subdural / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011007:Pneumocephalus / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology*; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed