Delayed Tension Pneumocephalus due to Rupture of the Pneumocyst

Abstract

Tension pneumocephalus is an unusual delayed presentation of trauma. This case is presentation of a young man who suffered sudden deterioration of mental status from the rupture of the preexisting pneumocyst. He had a history of basal skull fracture, had a ventriculoperitoneal shunt placed due to posttraumatic hydrocephalus and had also undergone the repairing operation of basal skull defect at another hospital. The successful treatment of tension pneumocephalus and persistent pneumocyst at our hospital is described. The neurosurgeon must be aware the possibility of delayed pneumocyst formation and tension pneumocephalus in patients who experienced basal skull fracture quite a long time ago. ( J Kor Neurotraumatol Soc 2009;5: 106-108 ) KEY WORDS: Tension pneumocephalus·Pneumocyst·Basal skull fracture.