Traumatic pneumocephaly: trapped air from where?
Recommended Citation
Basheer A, Macki M, and Mahmood A. Traumatic pneumocephaly: trapped air from where? BMJ Case Rep 2017; 2017.
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
11-25-2017
Publication Title
BMJ Case Rep
Abstract
Traumatic pneumocephaly is literally defined as 'air in the head' after trauma. While this phenomenon has been well described in the literature, our case report is unique in describing diffuse pneumocephalus in the subaponeurotic space, subdural space, subarachnoid space, brain and ventricles without a break in the cranial vault: a 26-year-old man fell from a =9 meter scaffolding in a water tower. Following an arduous and delayed extrication, the patient was unresponsive with loss of pulse requiring intubation, cardiopulmonary resuscitation and release of tension pneumothorax with bilateral thoracostomy tubes. Examination remained poor with a Glasgow Coma Scale of 3. Immediate exploratory laparotomy was performed for a small right retroperitoneal haematoma on Focused Assessment with Sonography for Trauma. Postoperative imaging revealed diffuse pneumocephaly without facial fractures. This case presentation explores unusual causes of fistulous connections with the atmosphere that may lead to air trapped in and around the cranial vault.
Medical Subject Headings
Accidental Falls; Adult; Brain; Cerebral Ventricles; Humans; Male; Pneumocephalus; Subarachnoid Space; Subdural Space
PubMed ID
29175906
Volume
2017
