Diffuse pneumocephalus : a rare complication of spinal surgery
Jung Ho Yun1, Young Jin Kim, Dong Soo Yoo
1Department of Neurosurgery, Dankook University Medical College, Cheonan, Korea.
Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
|November 18, 2010
Summary
Pneumocephalus, or air in the brain, is rare after spinal surgery. This case shows spontaneous resolution of pneumocephalus following lumbar surgery with conservative management.
Area of Science:
- Neurosurgery
- Neurology
- Radiology
Background:
- Pneumocephalus, the presence of air within the cranial cavity, typically results from head trauma or cranial surgery.
- Postoperative pneumocephalus following spinal surgery is an uncommon complication, rarely documented in medical literature.
Observation:
- A 59-year-old male developed pneumocephalus after undergoing posterior lumbar surgery for spinal stenosis.
- The patient experienced a cerebrospinal fluid leak during surgery, which was repaired intraoperatively.
- Postoperatively, the patient presented with headache and dizziness, indicative of pneumocephalus.
Findings:
- Computed tomography scans confirmed significant intracranial air, including in the frontal region, cisterns, and ventricles, as well as extradural air in the spinal canal.
- The patient's symptoms of headache and dizziness resolved spontaneously within two weeks.
- Conservative management was effective in resolving the pneumocephalus and associated symptoms.
Implications:
- This case highlights that pneumocephalus can occur after spinal procedures, even with immediate dural tear repair.
- It underscores the importance of recognizing and monitoring for this rare complication.
- Conservative management can be a successful approach for resolving post-spinal surgery pneumocephalus.
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