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Updated: May 29, 2026

Neuronavigation and Laparoscopy Guided Ventriculoperitoneal Shunt Insertion for the Treatment of Hydrocephalus
Published on: October 14, 2022
Delayed otogenic pneumocephalus complicating ventriculoperitoneal shunt
Francesco Pieri1, Carla Daniela Anania, Paolo Perrini
1Department of Neurosurgery, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy.
Abstract:
Tension pneumocephalus complicating ventriculoperitoneal shunt is extremely rare. We report an elderly male who developed delayed tension pneumocephalus 12 months after ventriculoperitoneal shunt for hydrocephalus complicating aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage. Fine-cut reformatted computer tomography scan revealed a large pneumatocele on the petrous apex associated with tegmen tympani defect. The shunt valve pressure was temporarily raised from 120 mm H 2 O to 200 mm H 2 O, and the patient underwent successful subtemporal extradural repair of the bony defect in the temporal bone. Although extremely rare, otogenic tension pneumocephalus is a potentially life-threatening condition, and urgent surgical repair of the bony defect in the temporal bone reduces the risk of both the morbidity and mortality.
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