Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society

The Korean Neurosurgical Society (대한신경외과학회)
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Tension Pneumocephalus after Shunting for Hydrocephalus - Case Report -

단락술후 발생한 긴장성 기뇌증 - 증 례 보 고 -

  • Lee, Jae-Hack (Department of Neurosurgery, Soonchunhyang University Hospital) ;
  • Kim, Bum-Tae (Department of Neurosurgery, Soonchunhyang University Hospital) ;
  • Cho, Sung-Jin (Department of Neurosurgery, Soonchunhyang University Hospital) ;
  • Shin, Won-Han (Department of Neurosurgery, Soonchunhyang University Hospital) ;
  • Choi, Soon-Kwan (Department of Neurosurgery, Soonchunhyang University Hospital) ;
  • Byun, Bark-Jang (Department of Neurosurgery, Soonchunhyang University Hospital)
  • 이재학 (순천향대학교 의과대학 신경외과학교실) ;
  • 김범태 (순천향대학교 의과대학 신경외과학교실) ;
  • 조성진 (순천향대학교 의과대학 신경외과학교실) ;
  • 신원한 (순천향대학교 의과대학 신경외과학교실) ;
  • 최순관 (순천향대학교 의과대학 신경외과학교실) ;
  • 변박장 (순천향대학교 의과대학 신경외과학교실)
  • Received : 2000.04.10
  • Accepted : 2000.07.18
  • Published : 2001.01.28
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Abstract

Pneumocephalus is exceedingly rare in the absence of trauma or recent surgery. It is most commonly seen after severe head injury, with disruption of the dura and subsequent cerebrospinal fluid leakage. Intracranial air has also been reported as a complication of shunting. This may be secondary to intermittent shunt failure or a persistent communication between the extracranial and intracranial space that permits the entrance of air. In the present case, air appeared to enter the ventricular system through the fistula that connected the frontal sinus. This air replaced the CSF being drained into the peritoneal cavity by the shunt. The decrease of intracranial pressure after a shunt might play a role in causing pneumocephalus. We report a case of tension pneumocephalus after shunting for hydrocephalus as a life-threatning complication.

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