CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 · Arquivos Brasileiros de Neurocirurgia: Brazilian Neurosurgery 2018; 37(03): 275-279
DOI: 10.1055/s-0036-1581996
Case Report | Relato de Caso
Thieme Revinter Publicações Ltda Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Post-traumatic Tension Pneumoventricle: Case Report

Article in several languages: English | português
Ricardo Macedo Camelo
1   Department of Neurosurgery, Medical Residency Program, Hospital Universitário Professor Alberto Antunes, Maceió, AL, Brazil
,
Josias Inácio da Silva
1   Department of Neurosurgery, Medical Residency Program, Hospital Universitário Professor Alberto Antunes, Maceió, AL, Brazil
,
Rafael Costa Camelo
1   Department of Neurosurgery, Medical Residency Program, Hospital Universitário Professor Alberto Antunes, Maceió, AL, Brazil
,
Moana Vergetti Malta
2   Department of Neurosurgery, HUPAA, Maceió, AL, Brazil
,
Arnon Castro Alves Filho
2   Department of Neurosurgery, HUPAA, Maceió, AL, Brazil
,
Washington Clésio da Silva Ribeiro
2   Department of Neurosurgery, HUPAA, Maceió, AL, Brazil
,
Adans Soares Porfírio
2   Department of Neurosurgery, HUPAA, Maceió, AL, Brazil
,
Daniel Fonseca Oliveira
2   Department of Neurosurgery, HUPAA, Maceió, AL, Brazil
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Address for correspondence

Moana Vergetti Malta, MD
Serviço de Neurocirurgia do Hospital Universitário Professor Alberto Antunes
Av. Lourival Melo Mota, s/n, Cidade Universitária, Maceió, AL, Brazil 57072-900

Publication History

29 September 2015

11 January 2016

Publication Date:
14 April 2016 (online)

 

Abstract

Pneumoventricle and liquoric fistula are possible complications of traumatic brain injury (TBI), the main cause of morbimortality related to trauma in Brazil. Liquoric fistulae are more common after direct trauma with skull base fractures. However, pneumoventricle is rare and occurs due to excessive cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) drainage in the presence of a poorly compliant ventricle system, resulting in the influx of air to its interior. The pathophysiology of tension pneumoventricle remains uncertain. However, the traumatic cause is certain and multiple bone fractures of the face and liquoric fistula may contribute to the process. If symptomatic, the tension pneumoventricle can cause rapid clinical deterioration. The authors aim to report a rare case of post-TBI tension pneumoventricle with complete resolution and without signs of recurrence of the liquoric fistula after surgical treatment.


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Introduction

Pneumoventricular and liquoric fistulae are possible complications of traumatic brain injury (TBI), the main cause of trauma-related morbimortality in Brazil.[1] Liquoric fistulae are more common after direct trauma, with fractures of the base of the skull.[1] [2] [3] [4] Pneumoventricle is rare and occurs after excessive cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) drainage, in the presence of a poorly compliant ventricular system, resulting in the influx of air into its interior. The pathophysiology of the tension pneumoventricle remains uncertain. However, the traumatic cause is certain, and multiple facial bone fractures and liquoric fistulae may contribute to the process.[1] If it is symptomatic, the tension pneumoventricle can lead to rapid clinical deterioration.[1] [2] [5] [6] [7] The authors aim to report a rare case of tension pneumoventricle after TBI.


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Case Report

A 43-year-old male patient with a history of TBI due to an automobile accident on March 18th, 2012, was treated at an emergency unit and was discharged after 8 days. He returned to the service 6 days later with headache and rhinoliquorrhea. A computed tomography (CT) exam of the skull showed pneumocephalus and right ethmoid fracture. The patient received clinical medical treatment, without resolution of the liquoric fistula and was then transferred to a reference hospital for definitive neurosurgical treatment. The condition of the patient evolved with vomiting, and a new CT scan of the skull ([Figs. 1]–[2]) was performed, evidencing the presence of a hypertensive pneumoventricle. The patient was then submitted to an external ventricular shunt placement and a bifrontal craniotomy, using pericranium and biological glue on the floor of the anterior cranial fossa for correction of the liquoric fistula and of the pneumoventricle. Postoperatively, he evolved satisfactorily, with resolution of the pneumoventricle ([Figs. 3]–[4]) and no signs of recurrence of the fistula.

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Fig. 1 Preoperative computed tomography showing skull base fracture.
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Fig. 2 Preoperative computed tomography showing bulky tension pneumoventricle.
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Fig. 3 Postoperative computed tomography showing resolution of the pneumoventricle.
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Fig. 4 Postoperative computed tomography showing resolution of the pneumoventricle.

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Discussion

Pneumocephalus is the presence of air in any intracranial compartment through a connection between the central nervous system (CNS) and the environment.[5] It is called a pneumoventricle when the air is in the intraventricular space. Pneumocephalus, despite having a common incidence, have a rare intraventricular presentation and, if symptomatic, may cause rapid clinical deterioration.[1] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8]

The presence of a liquoric fistula implies the existence of a dural and bone opening that establishes a communication between the subarachnoid space and the contaminated cavities of the upper airways, and its cause can be traumatic or non-traumatic. Among the non-traumatic causes are elective craniotomies.[5] The pneumoventricle is a common postoperative event, especially in posterior fossa or transventricular approaches, particularly in patients operated in the seated position.[5] [7] The case reported in the present study had a traumatic cause, and this is the most frequently found in the literature.[1]

The majority of the patients with pneumocephalus remains asymptomatic and requires no intervention, with spontaneous resorption. In some cases, however, air collection may cause increased intracranial pressure, with neurological deterioration. The clinical presentation of tension pneumocephalus may include headache, seizures, decreased level of consciousness, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, focal deficits, and even coma, consequent to the intracranial hypertension.[1] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] [9] The time of onset of symptoms is variable. The patient in the present case presented with headache and vomiting, which began ∼ 14 days after the trauma.

The diagnosis can be made by a simple skull radiography, but CT is the gold standard.[1] [2] [4] [5] [6] [9] [10] It is a sensitive examination in the detection of air even in small volumes (< 0.5 mL).[2] [4] [7] [10] The presence of porencephalic cysts may indicate the fistulation point, since the cyst tends to be located below the fistula. The treatment of pneumocephalus may be conservative, by lumbar shunt, or surgical exploration with intra or extracranial access.[1] [9] The conservative treatment, often effective, includes oxygen therapy (through the use of 100% oxygen chambers or hyperbaric oxygenation), antibiotic therapy (of controversial use[2]), analgesia, neurological exams and serial CT for the evaluation of the evolution of the patient.

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy was recognized in 1995 by the Federal Council of Medicine (CFM, in the Portuguese acronym) as a therapeutic modality through resolution No. 1457/95, and it was subsequently recognized by the Brazilian Medical Association (AMB, in the Portuguese acronym). Indications for the method are based on clinical studies and indications developed by the International Committee on Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy, which establishes institutions around the world, such as the Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society and the European Committee on Hyperbaric Medicine. In pneumocephalus, oxygen therapy works because oxygen replaces the nitrogen component, which is more rapidly absorbed into the bloodstream (Graham law), and thus stabilizes the condition within 48 hours.[11] In the case of hyperbaric oxygen therapy, there is an acceleration of the pneumocephalus reabsorption process in symptomatic patients or in patients with persistent pneumocephalus after 100% oxygen normobaric therapy.[11]

Unlike pneumocephalus, the occurrence of hypertensive pneumoventricles is rare and occurs, in most reported cases, after procedures for the placement of cerebrospinal fluid shunts in patients with hydrocephalus.[5] [7] It is a neurosurgical emergency that usually requires an invasive approach.[1] [4] [5] [6] [9] [10] Many authors believe that the treatment should be focused on the surgical closure of the airway.[2] In the patient in question, there was no resolution of the liquoric fistula through conservative treatment; on the contrary, the patient developed a worsening of the condition with signs of intracranial hypertension, and surgical treatment was performed by means of bifrontal craniotomy and external ventricular derivation.

The external ventricular derivation in these cases is fundamental, since it provides the output of the hypertensive air. A physiological solution is introduced via a catheter into the ventricular system, occupying the place of the hypertensive air that goes out into the environment.[7] It is important to note that, in this case, there is a somewhat less invasive alternative: the introduction of a physiological solution through a ventricular catheter, concomitant with the attempt to correct the basal fistula by means of an endoscopic procedure at the base of the skull, sparing the patient of bifrontal craniotomy. However, this alternative is only feasible in services where there is experience with the endoscopic technique.


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Conclusion

Although rare, the tension pneumoventricle should be considered in patients with post-traumatic liquoric fistula, especially when there is neurological deterioration, since it is a neurosurgical emergency requiring an invasive approach in most cases.


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No conflict of interest has been declared by the author(s).

  • References

  • 1 Carmona KC, Fantine JSE, Vieira CN. , et al. Pneumoventrículo hipertensivo pós-traumático: relato de caso. Rev Med Minas Gerais 2010; 20 (2, Suppl 1) 129-132
  • 2 Tuğcu B, Tanriverdi O, Günaldi O, Baydin S, Postalci LS, Akdemir H. Delayed intraventricular tension pneumocephalus due to scalp-ventricle fistula: a very rare complication of shunt surgery. Turk Neurosurg 2009; 19 (03) 276-280
  • 3 Kanner AA, Nageris BI, Chaimoff M, Rappaport ZH. Spontaneous pneumocephalus in the posterior fossa in a patient with a ventriculoperitoneal shunt: case report. Neurosurgery 2000; 46 (04) 1002-1004
  • 4 Simmons J, Luks AM. Tension pneumocephalus: an uncommon cause of altered mental status. J Emerg Med 2013; 44 (02) 340-343
  • 5 Radhziah S, Lee CK, Ng I. Tension pneumoventricle. J Clin Neurosci 2006; 13 (08) 881-883
  • 6 Kuo MY, Lien WC, Wang HP, Chen WJ. Nontraumatic tension pneumocephalus--a differential diagnosis of headache at the ED. Am J Emerg Med 2005; 23 (02) 235-236
  • 7 Gupta N, Rath GP, Mahajan C, Dube SK, Sharma S. Tension pneumoventricle after excision of third ventricular tumor in sitting position. J Anaesthesiol Clin Pharmacol 2011; 27 (03) 409-411
  • 8 Monas J, Peak DA. Spontaneous tension pneumocephalus resulting from a scalp fistula in a patient with a remotely placed ventriculoperitoneal shunt. Ann Emerg Med 2010; 56 (04) 378-381
  • 9 Barbosa FT, Cunha RM, Rocha APC, Silva Júnior HJL. [Intraventricular pneumocephalus after accidental perforation of the dura mater: case report.]. Rev Bras Anestesiol 2006; 56 (05) 511-517
  • 10 Rao V, Fredriksli O, Gulati S. Post-traumatic epidural tension pneumocephalus: a case report. J Med Case Reports 2015; 9 (09) 151
  • 11 Paiva WS, de Andrade AF, Figueiredo EG, Amorim RL, Prudente M, Teixeira MJ. Effects of hyperbaric oxygenation therapy on symptomatic pneumocephalus. Ther Clin Risk Manag 2014; 10: 769-773

Address for correspondence

Moana Vergetti Malta, MD
Serviço de Neurocirurgia do Hospital Universitário Professor Alberto Antunes
Av. Lourival Melo Mota, s/n, Cidade Universitária, Maceió, AL, Brazil 57072-900

  • References

  • 1 Carmona KC, Fantine JSE, Vieira CN. , et al. Pneumoventrículo hipertensivo pós-traumático: relato de caso. Rev Med Minas Gerais 2010; 20 (2, Suppl 1) 129-132
  • 2 Tuğcu B, Tanriverdi O, Günaldi O, Baydin S, Postalci LS, Akdemir H. Delayed intraventricular tension pneumocephalus due to scalp-ventricle fistula: a very rare complication of shunt surgery. Turk Neurosurg 2009; 19 (03) 276-280
  • 3 Kanner AA, Nageris BI, Chaimoff M, Rappaport ZH. Spontaneous pneumocephalus in the posterior fossa in a patient with a ventriculoperitoneal shunt: case report. Neurosurgery 2000; 46 (04) 1002-1004
  • 4 Simmons J, Luks AM. Tension pneumocephalus: an uncommon cause of altered mental status. J Emerg Med 2013; 44 (02) 340-343
  • 5 Radhziah S, Lee CK, Ng I. Tension pneumoventricle. J Clin Neurosci 2006; 13 (08) 881-883
  • 6 Kuo MY, Lien WC, Wang HP, Chen WJ. Nontraumatic tension pneumocephalus--a differential diagnosis of headache at the ED. Am J Emerg Med 2005; 23 (02) 235-236
  • 7 Gupta N, Rath GP, Mahajan C, Dube SK, Sharma S. Tension pneumoventricle after excision of third ventricular tumor in sitting position. J Anaesthesiol Clin Pharmacol 2011; 27 (03) 409-411
  • 8 Monas J, Peak DA. Spontaneous tension pneumocephalus resulting from a scalp fistula in a patient with a remotely placed ventriculoperitoneal shunt. Ann Emerg Med 2010; 56 (04) 378-381
  • 9 Barbosa FT, Cunha RM, Rocha APC, Silva Júnior HJL. [Intraventricular pneumocephalus after accidental perforation of the dura mater: case report.]. Rev Bras Anestesiol 2006; 56 (05) 511-517
  • 10 Rao V, Fredriksli O, Gulati S. Post-traumatic epidural tension pneumocephalus: a case report. J Med Case Reports 2015; 9 (09) 151
  • 11 Paiva WS, de Andrade AF, Figueiredo EG, Amorim RL, Prudente M, Teixeira MJ. Effects of hyperbaric oxygenation therapy on symptomatic pneumocephalus. Ther Clin Risk Manag 2014; 10: 769-773

Zoom Image
Fig. 1 Preoperative computed tomography showing skull base fracture.
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Fig. 2 Preoperative computed tomography showing bulky tension pneumoventricle.
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Fig. 3 Postoperative computed tomography showing resolution of the pneumoventricle.
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Fig. 4 Postoperative computed tomography showing resolution of the pneumoventricle.
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Fig. 1 Tomografia Computadorizada pré-operatória mostrando fratura de base do crânio.
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Fig. 2 Tomografia Computadorizada pré-operatória mostrando volumoso pneumoventrículo hipertensivo.
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Fig. 3 Tomografia Computadorizada pós-operatória demonstrando resolução do pneumoventrículo.
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Fig. 4 Tomografia Computadorizada pós-operatória demonstrando resolução do pneumoventrículo.