Spontaneous pneumocephalus following elective thoracotomy.
One month following a right upper lobectomy for bronchial carcinoma, a 50-year-old man developed headaches, confusion and a right hemiparesis. Radiographs revealed intraventricular air. This was thought to have originated from air being forced through a dural tear sustained at the time of operation. Both the intraventricular air and the accompanying symptoms and signs subsequently resolved.
D002283:Carcinoma, Bronchogenic / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011007:Pneumocephalus / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology*; D013903:Thoracic Surgery / Q000009:adverse effects*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed