Extensive Tension Pneumocephalus Following Drainage of Subdural Hematoma in an Elderly

, Kyung-Ho Cha; , Se-Hoon Kim; , Sung-Kon Ha; , Jong-Il Choi; , Dong-Jun Lim

Case Report

Journal of Korean Society of Geriatric Neurosurgery 2014;10(1):58-61.
Published online June 30, 2014.

Extensive Tension Pneumocephalus Following Drainage of Subdural Hematoma in an Elderly

Kyung-Ho Cha , Se-Hoon Kim , Sung-Kon Ha , Jong-Il Choi , Dong-Jun Lim

Department of Neurosurgery, Ansan Hospital, Korea University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea

Abstract

Tension pneumocephalus is a rare but life-threatening complication of neurosurgical procedures, and has been reported most frequently after posterior fossa surgery performed in the sitting position. We present a 76-year-old female patient who developed an extensive tension pneumocephalus after burr-hole drainage of subacute subdural hematoma in supine position. She recovered with an immediate percutaneous aspiration of the subdural air and a repeated drainage of the hematoma. The possible causes, prevention and management of pneumocephalus secondary to burrhole drainage are briefly reviewed.

Key Words: Tension pneumocephalusㆍComplicationㆍDrainageㆍSubdural hematoma