Post-Traumatic Pneumocele of the Frontal Sinus

Abstract

A pneumocele is an abnormal dilatation of a paranasal sinus, most commonly affecting the frontal sinus. Although the etiology of pneumocele is not entirely known, several causative factors have been suggested including trauma, surgery, tumor and infection. We report here a case of post-traumatic pneumocele of the frontal sinus following a head trauma.

Pneumocoele after cochlear implantation

“…Pneumocoeles have been reported after trauma and cranial surgery (Naumann and Miyamoto, 2009;Horowitz, 1964;Ivers et al, 1996;Karadag et al, 2008;Martin et al, 1998). Two case reports of subgaleal pneumocoele (air under the scalp) post-cochlear implantation exist in the literature (Backous et al, 2000;Viccaro et al, 2008).…”

What may surprise a rhinologist in everyday clinical practice: silent sinus syndrome or pneumosinus dilatans/pneumocele? Literature review and own experience

“…et al [ 37 ] (2010) Male 35 No None None Pneumocephalus Conservative Treatment Complete resolution of symptoms and pneumocephalus 6 Pneumocele of the frontal sinus producing orbital roof defect: case report and review of literature Abdel-Aal AK. et al [ 36 ] (2008) Female 31 Yes None Type III frontal recess air cell Orbital roof defect Large left frontal endoscopic sinusotomy and resection of the obstructing air cells; frontal sinus stent insertion None 7 A case of Orbital Emphysema Associated with Frontal Sinus Pneumocele Sasaki T. et al [ 39 ] (2013) Female 67 No None None Orbital Emphysema Left Frontal Craniotomy No appearance of an orbital emphysema 8 Post-traumatic Pneumocele of the Frontal Sinus Karadag D. et al [ 45 ] (2008) Male 46 No Head trauma 21 years prior* None None Surgery refused by the patient None 9 Pneumocele—A rare Cause of Air in the Orbit Boulos PR. et al [ 46 ] (2004) Male 52 Yes Nasal fracture at age 7 None Proptosis and Hypoglobus Anterior Orbitotomy and Endoscopic sinusotomy …”

Post-traumatic temporal bone pneumatocele presenting after aggressive Valsalva

“…Of all the literature reviewed, our case is unique regarding the degree of erosion of the external and internal cortical lining of the calvarial bone, leading us to believe that the fracture played a distinct role in the development of the full-thickness skull defect. A case of a frontal sinus pneumocele is reported secondary to a 21-year prior severe head trauma,23 but no such case of post-traumatic mastoid hyperpneumatisation has been reported. Interestingly, nose blowing after facial trauma has been known to cause complications such as subcutaneous emphysema and rarely, pneumomediastinum 24.…”