title: [Pneumocephalus and pneumorrhachis after chest wall injury].
abstract: Pneumocephalus and pneumorrhachis are rare findings, and may result from a variety of causes, including severe asthma or trauma. We describe a case, where intracranial and intraspinal air was found after trauma to the chest wall.
  
  
  METHODS
  A 24-yr-old patient suffered multiple trauma in a traffic accident, including a closed head injury and bursting fractures of theTh 7, 8 and 9 vertebral bodies with laceration of the spinal cord. Reposition of the spinal column was complicated by wound infection and septic shock. Intraoperatively, accidental extubation led to migration of gastric contents and was complicated by possible rupture of the oesophagus. Postoperative CT scan revealed the presence of air within the mediastinum, cranium and the entire spinal canal. The osteosynthetic material was removed, and the air quickly reabsorbed. The paraplegic patient was discharged from ITU in a satisfactory condition.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The most probable cause of the complication was traumatic rupture of the oesophagus and penetration of air via lacerated dura mater, to the spinal canal and the cranium. Conservative treatment was successful and led to complete (beside paraplegia) recovery.
authors.affiliation: Klinika Anestezjologii i Intensywnej Terapii, Uniwersytet Medyczny w Lublinie. anest@umlub.pl
authors.forename: Jarosław
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wośko
authors.forename: Wojciech
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Dabrowski
authors.forename: Przemyslaw
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Zadora
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Fijalkowska
authors.forename: Luiza
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Grzycka-Kowalczyk
mesh_terms: D000063:Accidents, Traffic; D000328:Adult; D002574:Cervical Vertebrae / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D004646:Emphysema / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009104:Multiple Trauma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D011007:Pneumocephalus / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D011859:Radiography; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D013346:Subarachnoid Space / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D013898:Thoracic Injuries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*