Korean J Anesthesiol.  2010 Dec;59(Suppl):S183-S186. 10.4097/kjae.2010.59.S.S183.

Recurred pneumocephalus in a head trauma patient following positive pressure mask ventilation during induction of anesthesia: A case report

• Moon HS
• Lee SK
• Chung SH
• Chung JH
• Chang IB

• KMID: 2237383
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4097/kjae.2010.59.S.S183

Abstract

Pneumocephalus is a condition which usually results from head trauma. It has been known that iatrogenic pneumocephalus can occur as a complication of positive pressure mask ventilation during induction of anesthesia or ventilatory care for head trauma patients. We report a case of mask ventilation during anesthesia induction in a 50-year-old male patient with head trauma. Initial pneumocephalus associated with cerebrospinal fluid leakage was diagnosed immediate following head injury involving facial sinuses. He was managed with emergent lumbar drainage and supportive care. Pneumocephalus recurred following positive pressure mask ventilation (PPMV) during anesthesia induction for surgery on the right arm. Recurred pneumocephalus was managed with high flow oxygen and supportive care. Anesthesiologists should be aware of pneumocephalus as a potential complication of PPMV in head trauma patients, even after resolution of previous pneumocephalus.

Keyword

Head trauma; Pneumocephalus; Positive pressure ventilation

MeSH Terms

Anesthesia
Arm
Craniocerebral Trauma
Drainage
Head
Humans
Male
Masks
Middle Aged
Oxygen
Pneumocephalus
Positive-Pressure Respiration
Ventilation
Oxygen