Tension Pneumocephalus after Shunting for Hydrocephalus: Case Report.
- Author:
Jae Hack LEE
1
;
Bum Tae KIM
;
Sung Jin CHO
;
Won Han SHIN
;
Soon Kwan CHOI
;
Bark Jang BYUN
Author Information
1. Department of Neurosurgery, Soonchunhyang University Hospital, Seoul, Korea.
- Publication Type:Case Report
- Keywords:
Tension pneumocephalus;
Shunting;
Hydrocephalus;
Head trauma
- MeSH:
Cerebrospinal Fluid;
Craniocerebral Trauma;
Fistula;
Frontal Sinus;
Hydrocephalus*;
Intracranial Pressure;
Peritoneal Cavity;
Pneumocephalus*
- From:Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
2001;30(1):81-84
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
Pneumocephalus is exceedingly rare in the absence of trauma or recent surgery. It is most commonly seen after severe head injury, with disruption of the dura and subsequent cerebrospinal fluid leakage. Intracranial air has also been reported as a complication of shunting. This may be secondary to intermittent shunt failure or a persistent communication between the extracranial and intracranial space that permits the entrance of air. In the present case, air appeared to enter the ventricular system through the fistula that connected the frontal sinus. This air replaced the CSF being drained into the peritoneal cavity by the shunt. The decrease of intracranial pressure after a shunt might play a role in causing pneumocephalus. We report a case of tension pneumocephalus after shunting for hydrocephalus as a life-threatning complication.
