Delayed Tension Pneumocephalus Caused by Ventriculoperitoneal Shunt

ABSTRACT

The authors describe a rare case of tension pneumocephalus, caused by ventriculoperitoneal(V-P) shunting for communicating hydrocephalus. The patient had a history of a right frontal skull fracture and pneumocephalus after a traffic accident five months prior to the present presentation of gait disturbance and memory impairment. A CT scan showed hydrocephalus and a V-P shunt was put in place. On the fourth day after surgery, the mental status of the patient gradually deteriorated due to a tension pneumocephalus; this was treated by repairing a fistula in the frontal sinus and a dural defect. The patient's mental status improved and symptoms were completely recovered. We report a case of tension pneumocephalus following V-P shunt for hydrocephalus in a patient who sustained a right frontal skull fracture.