Korean J Neurotrauma.  2016 Oct;12(2):144-147. 10.13004/kjnt.2016.12.2.144.

A Case of Intracranial Wooden Foreign Body: Mimicking Pneumocephalus

• Kim DH
• Park ES
• Seong HY
• Park JB
• Kwon SC
• Sim HB
• Lyo IU

• KMID: 2356789
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.13004/kjnt.2016.12.2.144

Abstract

Intracranial wooden foreign bodies are rare. In addition, such objects are difficult to identify with conventional radiographic techniques, such as X-ray radiography or brain computed tomography. A 48-year-old man presented to our emergency room with a headache. Even though he had a history of trauma, he had no external wounds and showed no neurological deficits at the initial examination. He was initially diagnosed with trauma-related pneumocephalus. He developed a delayed intracranial infection and underwent surgery to remove the wooden foreign body. The present case illustrates the necessity for special attention to patients suspected of having pneumocephalus with a rare presentation during the initial examination. Early surgical removal of the intracranial foreign body is necessary to prevent complications.

Keyword

Foreign bodies; Pneumocephalus; Wood

MeSH Terms

Brain
Emergency Service, Hospital
Foreign Bodies*
Headache
Humans
Middle Aged
Pneumocephalus*
Radiography
Wood
Wounds and Injuries

Figure

• 

  FIGURE 1 Skull X-ray anterior-posterior view showing no abnormal lesions.

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  FIGURE 2 A brain computed tomography scan with an axial view demonstrating air density in the left frontal lobe and subdural hematoma on the left convexity.

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  FIGURE 3 A brain computed tomography scan with an axial view demonstrating air density of nasal cavity.

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  FIGURE 4 T1 gadolinium-enhanced brain magnetic resonance image with a sagittal view showing a track-like intracranial enhancement of the suspected foreign body.

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  FIGURE 5 Photograph of the wooden foreign object that was removed by a transnasal endoscopic operation.

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