Subdural tension pneumocephalus following head injury: report of five cases.
Intracranial air is a radiographic finding not uncommon in head-injured patients. It is a relatively benign complication which usually resolves spontaneously. However, under unclear mechanism, tension pneumocephalus (the entrapment of intracranial air under pressure) may be formed and cause neurological symptoms. Five cases of patients with subdural tension pneumocephalus following head injury were reported. All had a basal skull fracture involving the paranasal sinuses or mastoid air cells with coexisting cerebrospinal fluid leakage. The patients showed symptoms and signs of increased intracranial pressure and compression on frontal lobes. Characteristic computerized tomographic findings were noted. Four patients clinically improved with conservative strategy. Only 1 case needed operative correction.
Skuna
S
S
Department of Neurosurgery, Ratchaburi Hospital, Thailand.
Chaiyabud
P
P
Pakdirat
B
B
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001921:Brain / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011007:Pneumocephalus / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed