[Hypertensive pneumocephalus, postoperative complication of chronic subdural hematomas]

The authors report 3 cases of subdural tension pneumocephalus developed after surgery for subdural chronic hematomas. The mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of this complication are discussed; the importance of the computed tomography in the assessment of the subdural tension pneumocephalus is stressed. Surgery is always indicated in cases of increased tension of the air collection and generally resolves the neurological deficits.