Fatal posterior fossa pneumocephalus due to hydrogen peroxide irrigation of lumbar wound.
Fatal brain stem failure developed suddenly in a 40-year-old male undergoing irrigation of an infected wound consequent to lumbar disc space infection. CT of head revealed posterior fossa pneumacephalus compressing the brain stem, which most likely developed from ingress of nascent oxygen under pressure through a defect in the thecal sac.
Department of Neurosurgery, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education & Research, Chandigarh, India.
R
R
Chhabra
A
A
Pathak
P
P
Ray
D000328:Adult; D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local / Q000009:adverse effects*; D017586:Diskectomy; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D006801:Humans; D006861:Hydrogen Peroxide / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D011007:Pneumocephalus / Q000139:chemically induced*; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection / Q000188:drug therapy*; D007507:Therapeutic Irrigation / Q000009:adverse effects
D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local; D006861:Hydrogen Peroxide