J Korean Neurosurg Soc.  2001 Jan;30(1):81-84.

Tension Pneumocephalus after Shunting for Hydrocephalus: Case Report

Affiliations
  • 1Department of Neurosurgery, Soonchunhyang University Hospital, Seoul, Korea.

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.

Keyword

Tension pneumocephalus; Shunting; Hydrocephalus; Head trauma

MeSH Terms

Cerebrospinal Fluid
Craniocerebral Trauma
Fistula
Frontal Sinus
Hydrocephalus*
Intracranial Pressure
Peritoneal Cavity
Pneumocephalus*
Full Text Links
  • JKNS
Actions
Cited
CITED
export Copy
Close
Share
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
Similar articles
Copyright © 2024 by Korean Association of Medical Journal Editors. All rights reserved.     E-mail: koreamed@kamje.or.kr