title: Pneumocephalus complicating routine thoracotomy: symptoms, diagnosis and management.
abstract: Pneumocephalus resulting from a subarachnoid-pleural fistula most commonly occurs after trauma. Such a complication is very rarely seen after thoracotomy alone, with 15 cases reported to date in the literature. We report a case of pneumocephalus and subarachnoid-pleural fistula that developed secondary to thoracotomy. It was diagnosed by postmyelography computed tomography and treated with open surgical repair after a trial of conservative therapy failed. The presenting symptoms and signs, diagnostic methods, and options for therapy are reviewed.
authors: Department of Surgery, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia.
authors: W M
authors: WM
authors: Brown
authors: P N
authors: PN
authors: Symbas
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D005402:Fistula / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010995:Pleural Diseases / Q000209:etiology; D011007:Pneumocephalus / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D013346:Subarachnoid Space; D013908:Thoracotomy / Q000009:adverse effects*