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Pneumocephalus: Case Illustrations and Review

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Abstract

Background

Pneumocephalus is commonly encountered after neurosurgical procedures but can also be caused by craniofacial trauma and tumors of the skull base and rarely, can occur spontaneously. Contributing factors for the development of pneumocephalus include head position, duration of surgery, nitrous oxide (N2O) anesthesia, hydrocephalus, intraoperative osmotherapy, hyperventilation, spinal anesthesia, barotauma, continuous CSF drainage via lumbar drain, epidural anesthesia, infections, and neoplasms. Clinical presentation includes headaches, nausea and vomiting, seizures, dizziness, and depressed neurological status. In this article, we review the incidence, mechanisms, precipitating factors, diagnosis, and management of pneumocephalus. Search of Medline, databases, and manual review of article bibliographies. Considering four case illustrations that typify pneumocephalus in clinical practice, we discuss the common etiologies, and confirm the diagnosis with neuroimaging and management strategies. Avoidance of contributing factors, high index of suspicion, and confirmation with neuroimaging are important in attenuating mortality and morbidity. A significant amount of pneumocephalus can simulate a space-occupying lesion. Supplemental oxygen increases the rate of absorption of pneumocephalus.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Neurological Surgery, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, 02111, USA

    Clemens M. Schirmer, Carl B. Heilman & Anish Bhardwaj

  2. Department of Neurology, Tufts University School of Medicine, Box 314, 800 Washington Street, Boston, MA, 02111, USA

    Anish Bhardwaj

Authors
  1. Clemens M. Schirmer
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  2. Carl B. Heilman
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  3. Anish Bhardwaj
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Correspondence to Anish Bhardwaj.

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Schirmer, C.M., Heilman, C.B. & Bhardwaj, A. Pneumocephalus: Case Illustrations and Review. Neurocrit Care 13, 152–158 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12028-010-9363-0

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