Carrillo-Esper R, Zepeda-Mendoza A, Carrillo-Córdova CA

Language: Spanish
References: 20
Page: 246-249
PDF size: 152.38 Kb.

ABSTRACT

Pneumocephalus is a frequent complication following neurosurgical procedures and head injury, but it can also be caused by craniofacial trauma and tumors of the skull base. Contributing factors include head position, duration of surgery, nitrous oxide, hyperventilation, transoperative osmotherapy and continuous CSF drainage. Clinical manifestations include headaches, nausea, vomiting, seizures and depressed neurological status. It can become an acute neurosurgical emergency when it’s associated with raised intracranial pressure. The aim of this paper is to describe the case of a patient who developed pneumocephalus after occipital craniotomy and review the incidence, mechanisms, diagnosis and management of pneumocephalus.

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