Tension Pneumocephalus

So,  Byung Hak; Park,  Seung Hyun; Kim,  Ki Myoung; Kim,  Se Kyung

J Korean Soc Emerg Med > Volume 13(2); 2002 > Article

Case Report

Journal of The Korean Society of Emergency Medicine 2002;13(2): 219-221.

Tension Pneumocephalus

Byung Hak So, Seung Hyun Park, Ki Myoung Kim, Se Kyung Kim

Department of Emergency Medicine, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea. empark@vincent.cuk.ac.kr

ABSTRACT

This paper presents one case of subdural tension pneumocephalus which deteriorated in the early phase of head trauma. Pneumocephalus occurs in 0.5 to 1.0% of head trauma cases. Most patients have nonspecific signs and symptoms, such as headache. Therefore, a high index of suspicion in a patient with recent head trauma is necessary. Therapy is often noninvasive, allowing the craniodural defect to heal spontaneously. However, if enough air collects within the cranium or the brain itself, a mass effect with marked midline shift may develop. This is referred to as tension pneumocephlus and may result in herniation symdrome. Prompt decompression is essential.

Key words: Tension pneumocephalus