Pneumocephalus secondary to transsphenoidal surgery

Authors

Keywords:

trepanation, intracranial hypertension, headache

Abstract

Introduction: Pneumocephalus is the accumulation of air in some intracranial structures. This condition can be asymptomatic or have mild symptoms, making it difficult to diagnose and causing death.

Objective: To present a rare case of pneumocephalus, its clinical manifestations, diagnosis and treatment.

Clinical case: 67-year-old female patient, with a history of surgery for pituitary macroadenoma five months before coming for consultation. He reported diffuse

 

 

headache lasting several days (with progressive worsening), accompanied by drowsiness, without alteration in muscle strength or sensitivity. A skull tomography was performed where a pneumocephalus was diagnosed. Conservative treatment was started without clinical improvement. Therefore, surgical treatment was performed after 24 hours, with satisfactory evolution without complications. He was discharged after 6 days.

Conclusions: Pneumocephalus is a rare condition. A high index of clinical suspicion is required for its timely diagnosis, which can avoid complications and death.

Author Biographies

Alexander Duràn Flores, Policlínico Hermanos Martínez Tamayo:Baracoa.Guantánamo

Especialistas de Primer Grado en Medicina General Integral. Profesor Instructor

Lisbán Rodríguez López, Policlínico Hermanos Martínez Tamayo:Baracoa.Guantánamo

Licenciado en Imagenología y Radiofísica Médica

Oneidis Flores Duràn Flores, Hospital Octavio de la Concepción y la Pedraja. Baracoa. Guantánamo

Licenciada en Citohistopatología. Profesor Instructor

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Published

2024-09-02

How to Cite

1.
Duràn Flores A, Rodríguez López L, Duràn Flores OF. Pneumocephalus secondary to transsphenoidal surgery. Invest Medicoquir [Internet]. 2024 Sep. 2 [cited 2025 Dec. 5];16(1):e861. Available from: https://revcimeq.sld.cu/index.php/imq/article/view/861

Issue

Vol. 16 No. 1 (2024): January-December

Section

Case presentation

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Copyright (c) 2024 Alexander Duràn Flores, Lisbán Rodríguez López, Oneidis Flores Duràn Flores

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