Traumatic pneumocephalus in a dog.
METHODS
A 17-month-old dog was evaluated because of progressive tetraparesis. The dog had a history of craniofacial trauma at 2 months of age.


RESULTS
Results of a neurologic examination were suggestive of a lesion localized to the medulla. Computed tomography revealed extensive pneumocephalus extending throughout the ventricular system and into the cranial cervical subarachnoid space.


RESULTS
Because of the deterioration in the dog's clinical condition, an emergency bilateral transfrontal craniectomy was performed. A large amount of pyogranulomatous material was found intraoperatively. Neurologic and computed tomographic abnormalities were no longer evident during a recheck examination 8 weeks after surgery.


CONCLUSIONS
Findings suggested that pneumocephalus should be considered in the differential diagnosis for dogs with neurologic signs of an intracranial abnormality, particularly if the dog has a history of craniofacial trauma.
Gulf Coast Veterinary Surgery and Neurology, 1111 W Loop South, Houston, TX 77027, USA.
Allison C
AC
Haley
Carley
C
Abramson
D000818:Animals; D001733:Bites and Stings / Q000150:complications / Q000662:veterinary; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D004285:Dogs; D005624:Frontal Bone / Q000293:injuries; D020197:Head Injuries, Penetrating / Q000150:complications / Q000662:veterinary; D008297:Male; D009460:Neurologic Examination / Q000662:veterinary; D011007:Pneumocephalus / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary*; D012887:Skull Fractures / Q000150:complications / Q000662:veterinary; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000662:veterinary; D016896:Treatment Outcome