Pneumocephalus after acoustic neuroma surgery.
OBJECTIVE
The study was conducted to describe the diagnosis and management of pneumocephalus after acoustic tumor resection.


METHODS
The study design was a retrospective chart review.


METHODS
The study was conducted as a tertiary otologic referral to the senior authors' practices (PAF, MDA).


METHODS
Three patients operated on for acoustic tumor in St. Vincent's General Hospital and the Scottish Hospital, Sydney, Australia, were studied.


METHODS
Observation in both cases and surgery in a case in which tension pneumocephalus was progressive were performed.


METHODS
Recovery will follow either spontaneously or after intervention.


RESULTS
All patients had an uneventful recovery.


CONCLUSIONS
In most cases, spontaneous resolution occurs. However, if surgical re-exploration is indicated, it is best performed via the blind sac subtotal petrosectomy of Fisch.
Ajalloveyan
M
M
Department of Otology--Skull Base Surgery, St. Vincent's Hospital, Sydney, Australia.
Doust
B
B
Atlas
M D
MD
Fagan
P A
PA
D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009464:Neuroma, Acoustic / Q000601:surgery*; D011007:Pneumocephalus / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery; D012075:Remission, Spontaneous; D012086:Reoperation / Q000379:methods; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed