Clinics in diagnostic imaging (119). Post-traumatic intracerebral pneumatocele.
A 36-year-old man presented with cerebrospinal fluid rhinorrhoea after head injury in a road traffic accident three weeks prior to presentation. Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging demonstrated a hypointense cavity in the left frontal lobe communicating with the frontal horn of the left lateral ventricle, consistent with an intracerebral pneumatocele. The fistulous track communicating with the frontal sinus was demonstrated on the sagittal and coronal images. The patient underwent surgical decompression of the cavity and repair of the dural defect and fracture of the frontal bone. Postoperatively, the patient made excellent recovery. An intracerebral pneumatocele should be recognised on MR imaging, as potential complications include tension pneumocephalus and meningitis, and surgical treatment is indicated in most of the cases.
Venkatesh
S K
SK
Department of Diagnostic Radiology, National University Hospital, 5 Lower Kent Ridge Road, Singapore 119074. dnrskv@nus.edu.sg
Bhargava
V
V
D000328:Adult; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D002559:Cerebrospinal Fluid Rhinorrhea / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery; D003399:Craniotomy; D004388:Dura Mater / Q000293:injuries / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005624:Frontal Bone / Q000293:injuries* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D005625:Frontal Lobe / Q000293:injuries* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D005626:Frontal Sinus / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D011007:Pneumocephalus / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery; D012887:Skull Fractures / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery; D013346:Subarachnoid Space / Q000473:pathology; D020542:Third Ventricle / Q000473:pathology*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed