Keywords
case report - head trauma - mount fuji sign - raised intracranial pressure - tension
pneumocephalus
Introduction
Pneumocephalus (also known as pneumatocele) is quite common in the setting of trauma,
especially those associated with head injury. In this setting, it can occur either
as a result of trauma itself or postsurgical intervention. Tension pneumocephalus,
a potentially fatal condition, however, is quite rare and is a treatable emergency.
It occurs due to collection of air within the cranial cavity with increased pressure
on brain matter along with neurological deterioration.[1] There are two theories postulated for the development of tension pneumocephalus,
which include the Dandy theory and Horowitz theory. The Dandy theory suggests a ball
valve mechanism, leading to one way entry of air through a dural defect, resulting
in entry of air into cranial cavity with trapping of air.[2] The Horowitz theory suggests an inverted soda bottle effect from loss of cerebrospinal
fluid (CSF), resulting in negative pressure in the cranial cavity.[3] Posttraumatic tension pneumocephalus reported in literature is mostly associated
with severe craniofacial fractures. Early and prompt identification is of utmost importance
to avoid adverse neurological outcomes and mortality. Management involves conservative
measures, including high-flow oxygen therapy, supine positioning, analgesia, prophylactic
antibiotics in posttraumatic cases, frequent monitoring of neurological status clinically,
and using imaging. Operative management for those not improving or those with symptomatic
tension pneumocephalus includes prompt decompression by drilling burr holes, needle
aspiration, and craniotomy or ventriculostomy. In addition, the dural defect should
be identified and sealed off to prevent further worsening or recurrent pneumocephalus.
Here, we present two patients who presented with trauma-associated tension pneumocephalus
who were successfully managed nonoperatively.
Case 1
A 30-year-old male presented with history of road traffic accident. The patient was
a pedestrian who was hit by a truck. On arrival in ED, primary survey showed patent
airway and normal breathing; patient was hemodynamically stable with Glasgow coma
scale (GCS) E4V4M5 along with bilateral pupils of normal size and reactive to light.
He was moving all four limbs, although there was pain and swelling of right thigh,
and all peripheral pulses were normal.
Investigations
E-FAST examination was normal with normal chest and pelvic X-rays. X-ray of right
thigh showed fracture of shaft of femur. Computed tomography (CT) head showed small
contusion in right frontal lobe with large contusion in left frontal region along
with associated edema. Pneumocephalus was seen in bilateral frontal region ([Fig. 1]) with bilateral frontal fracture and right ethmoidal, maxillary and mandibular fracture.
Noncontrast CT (NCCT) face showed bilateral Le-Forte 1 and 2 fractures ([Fig. 2]). Contrast-enhanced CT (CECT) chest and abdomen showed no evidence of intrathoracic
injury, hemothorax/pneumothorax, no solid organ or hollow viscus injury, and no evidence
of any intraperitoneal free air/fluid.
Fig. 1 Case 1. Noncontrast computed tomography (NCCT) head showing Mount Fuji sign with
left frontal contusion.
Fig. 2 Case 2. Noncontrast computed tomography (NCCT) head showing Mount Fuji sign.
Treatment
Patient was managed nonoperatively with supine positioning, high-flow oxygen therapy,
frequent neurological examination, and repeat imaging to look for increase in size
of pneumocephalus and for significant pressure effect on the brain matter or ventricles.
He underwent closed reduction and internal fixation for femur fracture. He improved
neurologically during the course of his hospital stay and GCS improved to E4V5M6.
Outcome and Follow-up
He improved neurologically during the course of his hospital stay with conservative
measures mentioned above and was discharged in stable condition. At the time of discharge,
patient did not have any neurological deficits, was feeding orally, and voiding by
self. At present, patient is doing well with no residual neurological deficit and
did not require any further neurosurgical intervention for any complications
Case 2
A 67-year-old male presented with history of road traffic accident. Patient was a
pedestrian who was hit by a two-wheeler. On arrival in ED, primary survey showed patent
airway and normal breathing; patient was hemodynamically stable with GCS E3V4M5 with
left pupil of normal size and reactive to light and right pupil nonassessable due
to periorbital swelling. He was moving all four limbs, and all peripheral pulses were
normal. Clinically, there was no facial bone/long bone fractures.
Investigations
FAST examination was normal; however, E-FAST showed left-sided PneumoScan positive
with normal chest and pelvic X-rays. CT head showed pneumocephalus ([Fig. 2]) with multiple hemorrhages in gray–white junction, suggestive of diffuse axonal
injury. In addition, there was left frontal bone fracture involving left frontal sinus
with hemosinus. CECT torso showed mild left-sided hemopneumothorax with no evidence
of any rib fractures, no solid organ or hollow viscus injury, and no evidence of any
intraperitoneal free air/fluid.
Treatment
Patient was managed conservatively with supine positioning, high-flow oxygen therapy,
frequent neurological examination, and repeat imaging to look for increase in size
of pneumocephalus and for significant pressure effect on the brain matter or ventricles.
Outcome and Follow-up
The patient was managed conservatively and discharged after complete neurological
recovery and with no major neurological deficits. Patient is doing well postdischarge
with complete neurological recovery and has not required further neurosurgical intervention
for any complications.
Discussion
First described by Lecat in 1741,[4] pneumocephalus is described in variety of clinical settings. While pneumocephalus
is quite often seen in the setting of trauma and postsurgery, especially posthead
and neck or neurosurgical interventions, tension pneumocephalus is quite rare and
a form of neurosurgical emergency. Tension pneumocephalus was first described by Ectors,
Kessler and Stern in 1962.[1]
[5]
[6] It occurs when air in the cranial cavity exerts pressure on the brain matter or
ventricles. Prompt and accurate diagnosis of this condition is absolutely vital to
prevent mortality or poor neurological outcomes. This requires a high index of clinical
suspicion and corroborative imaging in the appropriate clinical setting.
The most common clinical presentations include headache, vomiting, lethargy, decreased
vision, altered mental status, CSF rhinorrhea, and stupor. Definitive diagnosis in
most cases require imaging, most commonly a plain CT scan showing characteristic Mount
Fuji sign[7] or showing dural air in any compartment with features of raised intracranial tension
(ICT). This sign is characteristic of tension pneumocephalus and is characteristically
described as bilateral frontal subdural air on CT with widened interhemispheric fissure
due to compression and separation of frontal lobes by subdural air. It suggests that
pressure of the gas is at least greater than the surface tension of CSF between the
frontal lobes.[8]
[9] It is caused by cortical veins tethering the frontal lobes, resulting in this characteristic
appearance. In the emergency department, optic nerve sheath diameter can be used to
look for signs of raised intracranial pressure (ICP).
Management includes supine positioning, 100% oxygen via nonrebreathing mask, serial
optic nerve sheath diameter measurement, regular monitoring of neurological status,
repeat imaging in case of deterioration of neurological status and, if required, simple
twist drill and aspiration of intracranial air with or without an underwater seal,[10] craniotomy, drilling of burr holes, ventriculostomy placement and closure of dural
defects.
Learning Points
-
Tension pneumocephalus should be suspected in patients with craniofacial fractures,
including those with blunt or penetrating trauma with decreased neurological status.
-
Early identification is important for optimal survival and neurological outcome. Such
patients should be constantly monitored for worsening of neurological status and features
of increased pressure on brain matter, so that early neurosurgical intervention can
be done.
-
Definitive diagnosis depends on imaging.
-
Management includes both nonoperative measures like supine positioning, 100% oxygen,
and frequent assessment of neurological status.
-
Early neurosurgical consultation and urgent decompression, if required, is necessary
in cases showing significant pressure effect due to prevent neurological deterioration.
