Three Cases of Subdural Tension Pneumocephalus

Three patients development subdural pneumocephalus after undergoing posterior fossa surgery performed in sitting position. The mechanism for entry of air into the intracranial compartment is analogous to the entry of air into an inverted bottle. As the fluid pours out, air bubbles to the top of the container. A brow-up lateral skull radiograph with a horizontal beam provided prompt diagnosis and confirmed brain displacement as well as computerized tomography did. Tension pneumocephalus appears to be another potential complication of posterior fossa surgery in sitting position. This condition is easily diagnosed and treated, and should be considered whenever a patient fails to recover as expected following posterior fossa surgery.