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Published on: February 23, 2014
Coma caused by spontaneous otogenic pneumocephalus
Jonathan A Hyam1, Laleh Morgan, Nigel D Mendoza
1Department of Neurosurgery, Charing Cross Hospital, Fulham Palace Road, London W6 8RF, United Kingdom. jhyam25@hotmail.com
Abstract:
We present the first case of spontaneous otogenic pneumocephalus presenting with a rapid deterioration in conscious level. This occurred in a 69-year-old woman who was subsequently treated with a subtemporal, extradural exploration and packing of the multiple defects in the mastoid air cells. The patient made a full neurological recovery within 10 weeks. Spontaneous otogenic pneumocephalus is a rare condition and was previously understood to present with subtle symptoms of headache, aphasia and cognitive deficits. This case, however, establishes how it can cause a rapid decline towards coma.
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