[Pneumocephalus as a complication to sinus surgery].
BACKGROUND
Pneumocephalus is a rare complication of sinus surgery. The complications of sinus surgery are often classified as minor or major. Minor complications are seen as adhesions, scarring, bleeding, development of subcutaneous emphysema, penetration of the orbit without herniation and eyelid ecchymosis. The incidence of major complications is 0 to 3% and include haemorrhage, retrobulbar haematoma, injury to the optic nerve, CSF leaks, meningitis, intracranial penetration with development of tension pneumocephalus, and death.


METHODS
We present a case of pneumocephalus after endonasal ethmoidectomy. The literature is reviewed.


RESULTS
The patient had clinical findings consistent with non-tension pneumocephalus. Development of tension pneumocephalus is a distinct possibility and it is necessary to monitor these patients closely.


CONCLUSIONS
In order to reduce the risk of injury to the anterior skull base it is important to eliminate certain normal anatomic variations and to assess the individual anatomy thoroughly. This can be done with preoperative nasal endoscopy and CT imaging. This applies even more to patients who have previously undergone sinus surgery.
Moxness
M H
MH
Øre-nese-halsavdelingen, Nordland Sentralsykehus 8092 BodØ.
Nedregaard
B
B
D000368:Aged; D005005:Ethmoid Sinus / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008488:Medical Illustration; D015508:Nasal Obstruction / Q000601:surgery; D011007:Pneumocephalus / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology*; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed