Postoperative tension pneumocephalus.
Postoperative tension pneumocephalus, a serious complication, requires early diagnosis and treatment. This article presents the anatomy, physiology, and pathophysiology of postoperative tension pneumocephalus. Nursing implications pertinent to identification, assessment, and collaboration in the diagnosis and treatment of tension pneumocephalus are discussed. An unusual method of treatment involving the use of bilateral subarachnoid screws is presented. Three cases are reviewed to illustrate the efficacy of this treatment modality, which, in some instances, may avoid a second intracranial operative procedure. The advantages of collaboration among neuroscience nurses and neurosurgeons on technical aspects of treatment are identified.
D000368:Aged; D004322:Drainage / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007016:Hypophysectomy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009730:Nursing Assessment; D011007:Pneumocephalus / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000451:nursing / Q000601:surgery*; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000451:nursing / Q000601:surgery*; D012886:Skull / Q000601:surgery; D013346:Subarachnoid Space; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed