Spontaneous tension pneumocephalus resulting from a scalp fistula in a patient with a remotely placed ventriculoperitoneal shunt.

Abstract

Tension pneumocephalus is a life-threatening condition that requires rapid recognition and intervention. It usually occurs as an early postoperative complication after neurosurgery or after trauma. Delayed tension pneumocephalus after ventriculoperitoneal shunt placement is unusual, with fewer than 50 published case reports, and is rarely caused by a scalp defect. We present a patient with nontraumatic tension pneumocephalus caused by a scalp fistula from a remote ventriculoperitoneal shunt placed 5 years earlier. This case is unique in that the patient underwent percutaneous aspiration of the tension pneumocephalus as a lifesaving procedure in the emergency department, with complete resolution of her symptoms at 30-day follow-up.

• Authors: Jessica Monas, David A Peak
• Journal: Annals of emergency medicine (Ann Emerg Med) Vol. 56 Issue 4 Pg. 378-81 (Oct 2010) ISSN: 1097-6760 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 20619934 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2010 American College of Emergency Physicians. Published by Mosby, Inc. All rights reserved.

Topics

• Cutaneous Fistula (complications, etiology)
• Decompression, Surgical
• Female
• Humans
• Magnetic Resonance Imaging
• Middle Aged
• Pneumocephalus (etiology, surgery)
• Scalp
• Tomography, X-Ray Computed
• Treatment Outcome
• Ventriculoperitoneal Shunt (adverse effects)