Pneumocephalus. A complication of continuous positive airway pressure after trauma.
We report an uncommon and potentially dangerous complication of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) applied during spontaneous respiration. A patient with multiple fractures and recurrernt atelectasis developed pneumocephalus on the seventh day of respiratory therapy with CPAP via a face mask. A fracture of the base of the skull, not recognized despite neurologic and radiologic evaluation at admission, was at the origin of this complication.
D000328:Adult; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011007:Pneumocephalus / Q000209:etiology*; D011175:Positive-Pressure Respiration / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011312:Pressure; D001261:Pulmonary Atelectasis / Q000628:therapy; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000628:therapy*