Spontaneous epidural pneumocephalus

Neurol Med Chir (Tokyo). 2008 Oct;48(10):474-8. doi: 10.2176/nmc.48.474.

Abstract

A 20-year-old male presented with an extremely rare spontaneous epidural pneumocephalus which was successfully treated by a single neurosurgical intervention. The patient had a habit of nose blowing and a 1-year history of progressive headache and nausea. Cranial computed tomography (CT) revealed a 2 x 7 cm right temporo-occipital epidural pneumocephalus with extensive hyperpneumatization of the mastoid cells. Right temporo-occipital craniotomy with a right superficial temporal artery and vein flap repair resulted in radiographic resolution of the pneumocephalus, and he remained neurologically free of symptoms at 1-year follow-up examination. Early identification and monitoring of symptomatic pneumocephalus followed by decompression and prevention of infection via closure of the bone defect can avoid possible serious consequences. The underlying mechanisms may involve a congenital petrous bone defect and a ball-valve effect due to excessive nose blowing in our case.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Craniotomy
  • Epidural Space / diagnostic imaging
  • Epidural Space / pathology*
  • Epidural Space / surgery
  • Headache / etiology
  • Humans
  • Intracranial Hypertension / complications
  • Intracranial Hypertension / etiology
  • Male
  • Mastoid / diagnostic imaging
  • Mastoid / pathology
  • Petrous Bone / diagnostic imaging
  • Petrous Bone / pathology
  • Pneumocephalus / diagnostic imaging*
  • Pneumocephalus / etiology
  • Pneumocephalus / pathology*
  • Surgical Flaps
  • Temporal Arteries / anatomy & histology
  • Temporal Arteries / surgery
  • Temporal Bone / diagnostic imaging
  • Temporal Bone / pathology*
  • Temporal Bone / surgery
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed
  • Treatment Outcome