[Pneumocephalus and cerebrospinal fluid fistula following removal of a superior sulcus tumor (pancoast tumor)].
Pneumocephalus resulting from a subarachnoid-pleural fistula following resection of a pulmonary neoplasm is a very rare postoperative complication: we have found only 17 cases in the literature. We report the case of a 65-year-old man diagnosed with a superior sulcus tumor who underwent a left upper lobectomy and costal resection following neoadjuvant radiation therapy. Soon after surgery, the patient developed a subarachnoid-pleural fistula and pneumocephalus that required reoperation and drainage. Recurrence was suspected when chronic aseptic meningitis developed. Another thoracotomy was required to resolve the complication.
de Olaiz Navarro
B
B
Sección de Cirugía Torácica, Hospital General Universitario, Albacete, Spain. bdeo@sescam.jccm.es
León Atance
P
P
Alix Trueba
A
A
D000368:Aged; D004322:Drainage; D005402:Fistula / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D008197:Lymph Node Excision; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008581:Meningitis / Q000209:etiology*; D020360:Neoadjuvant Therapy; D010178:Pancoast Syndrome / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000601:surgery*; D010995:Pleural Diseases / Q000209:etiology*; D011007:Pneumocephalus / Q000209:etiology*; D011013:Pneumonectomy; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D011879:Radiotherapy Dosage; D012086:Reoperation; D016156:Respiratory Tract Fistula / Q000209:etiology*; D013346:Subarachnoid Space; D013908:Thoracotomy; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed