Tension pneumocranium in childhood trauma.
BACKGROUND
To report a case of fatal tension pneumocephalus in a 9-year-old boy following a severe motor vehicle accident.


METHODS
A young boy with a serious closed head injury was resuscitated in the emergency room and underwent CT scan of the head and orbits.


RESULTS
The CT-scan revealed a fracture of the orbital roof with extensive bilateral pneumocephalus.


CONCLUSIONS
A high index of suspicion for tension pneumocephalus is required in patients with severe head injuries presenting with periorbital swelling and perioccular trauma. A prompt CT scan and neurosurgical intervention are indicated.
Gill
Hardeep Singh
HS
Trauma Unit, Department of Pediatric Surgery, Trauma Unit Red Cross War Memorial Children's Hospital, Red Cross War Memorial Children's Hospital, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa.
van As
Arjan Bastiaan
AB
D000063:Accidents, Traffic; D002648:Child; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D005264:Femoral Fractures / Q000453:epidemiology; D016489:Head Injuries, Closed / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009104:Multiple Trauma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D009917:Orbital Fractures / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology; D011007:Pneumocephalus / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed