Diffuse pneumocephalus associated with infratentorial and supratentorial hemorrhages as a complication of spinal surgery.
A 23-year-old woman was transferred to our department with loss of consciousness 6 h after undergoing rod placement for thoracolumbar scoliosis. Both computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging of the brain revealed diffuse pneumocephalus and infra- and supratentorial hemorrhages. The pedicular screw tracts were analyzed with computed tomography and misplacement of a screw was noticed. It was thought that inadvertent dural injury had occurred at the time of insertion. The patient was re-operated and the dural tear was repaired. To our knowledge, this is the first description of these uncommon complications in one patient after spine surgery.
Ozturk
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E
Department of Radiology, Aksaz Naval Hospital, Mugla, Turkey. drersini@yahoo.com
Kantarci
M
M
Karaman
K
K
Basekim
C Cinar
CC
Kizilkaya
E
E
D000328:Adult; D001863:Bone Screws; D002543:Cerebral Hemorrhage / Q000209:etiology*; D004388:Dura Mater / Q000293:injuries; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D011007:Pneumocephalus / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D012086:Reoperation; D012600:Scoliosis / Q000601:surgery; D013131:Spine / Q000601:surgery*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed