title: Acute pneumocephalus: an unusual complication of thoracotomy.
abstract: The authors describe a iatrogenic cerebrospinal fluid fistula into the pleural cavity, a rare and unusual complication of thoracic surgery. The importance of considering this diagnosis in patients who suffer from headache and altered mental status after thoracotomy and the early surgical repair of this potentially fatal complication are stressed.
authors.affiliation: Neurosurgical Clinic University of Milano, Italy.
authors.forename: E P
authors.initials: EP
authors.lastname: Sganzerla
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Tisi
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Lucarini
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Ceretti
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Arrigoni
authors.forename: S M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Gaini
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D000368:Aged; D002555:Cerebrospinal Fluid; D005402:Fistula / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D007049:Iatrogenic Disease; D008297:Male; D011007:Pneumocephalus / Q000209:etiology*; D013908:Thoracotomy / Q000009:adverse effects*