title: Pneumocephalus secondary to tension pneumothorax associated with comminuted fracture of the thoracic spine.
abstract: We present an unusual case of pneumocephalus secondary to a tension pneumothorax associated with fracture of the thoracic spine. Air from a pneumothorax entered the thoracic intraspinal compartment and the intracranial cavity through a comminuted fracture of the spine. The pneumocephalus and the pneumothorax resolved after aspiration of the intrathoracic air via an intercostal catheter. Diagnosis, therapeutic modalities, and potential complications of a pneumocephalus and of a communication between the thoracic cavity and the spinal dural space are discussed.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011007:Pneumocephalus / Q000209:etiology*; D011030:Pneumothorax / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology; D013904:Thoracic Vertebrae / Q000293:injuries*