A Case of Pneumocephalus Following Facial Trauma Pneumocephalus

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To describe a patient who developed left subconjunctival air and pneumocephalus without definite finding of skull fracture after facial trauma. METHODS: A 16-year-old man developed headache, upper eyelid swelling and decreased visual acuity after facial trauma. Ophthalmic examinations revealed left subconjunctival hemorrhage, air and corneal abrasion. Computed tomography and simple X-ray showed huge orbital emphsema. It extends into the left posterior sclera, around the optic nerve and optic canal. Diagnosis of pneumocephalus of basal cistern with no bony fracture of face, orbits and skull was made. RESULTS: In clinical practice, physician should be kept in mind that the possibility of pneumocephalus resulted from orbital or subconjunctival emphysema through optic nerve sheath in case of no definite evidence of basal skull fractures.