[Pneumoencephalographic signs of traumatic intracranial hematomas]

Lateral dislocation of the ventricles in relation to the reconstructed line of the septum pellucidum by more than 3 mm in proper positioning of the patient's head and by more than 6 mm in asymmetric positioning (from 5 to 18 mm) should be interpretated as a sign of an intracranial three-dimentional structure which requires surgical treatment. The subarachnoid spaces on the side of the intracranial hematoma or contusion focus are often not filled with the air. Pneumoencephalography conducted by the authors' sparing method with the administration of euphylline (aminophyline) may be employed as an auxiliary diagnostic method when angiography or echoencephalography cannot be performed.