Pneumoencephalus and convulsions after ventriculoscopy: a potentially catastrophic complication

A nine-year-old boy with hydrocephalus underwent ventriculoscopy under general anesthesia. After introduction of ventriculoscope the patient had sudden bradycardia, hypotension, and shrinkage of ipsilateral cerebral hemisphere. The ventriculostomy was abandoned. At the end of anesthesia and endotracheal extubation, the patient developed generalized convulsions. Reexploration of wound did not reveal anything significant; however, postoperative CT scan of head showed massive pneumoencephalus. The patients received elective ventilation of lungs for 24 hours and made complete recovery. The authors describe the reasons for these complications and further management.