Extensive Tension Pneumocephalus Caused by Spinal Tapping in a Patient with Basal Skull Fracture and Pneumothorax
Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
;
: 318-321, 2009.
Article
in English
| WPRIM
| ID: wpr-212250
ABSTRACT
Tension pneumocephalus may follow a cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak communicating with extensive extradural air. However, it rarely occurs after diagnostic lumbar puncture, and its treatment and pathophysiology are uncertain. Tension pneumocephalus can develop even after diagnostic lumbar puncture in a special condition. This extremely rare condition and underlying pathophysiology will be presented and discussed. The authors report the case of a 44-year-old man with a basal skull fracture accompanied by pneumothorax necessitating chest tube suction drainage, who underwent an uneventful lumbar tapping that was complicated by postprocedural tension pneumocephalus resulting in an altered mental status. The patient was managed by burr hole trephination and saline infusion following chest tube disengagement. He recovered well with no neurologic deficits after the operation, and a follow-up computed tomography (CT) scan demonstrated that the pneumocephalus had completely resolved. Tension pneumocephalus is a rare but serious complication of lumbar puncture in patients with basal skull fractures accompanied by pneumothorax, which requires continuous chest tube drainage. Thus, when there is a need for lumbar tapping in these patients, it should be performed after the negative pressure is disengaged.
Full text:
Available
Index:
WPRIM (Western Pacific)
Main subject:
Pneumocephalus
/
Pneumothorax
/
Skull
/
Skull Fractures
/
Spinal Puncture
/
Suction
/
Chest Tubes
/
Drainage
/
Follow-Up Studies
/
Neurologic Manifestations
Type of study:
Observational study
/
Prognostic study
Limits:
Adult
/
Humans
Language:
English
Journal:
Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
Year:
2009
Type:
Article
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