Delayed spontaneous pneumocephalus in ventriculoperitoneal shunting: two case reports and literature review

Neurocirugia (Astur). 2014 Mar-Apr;25(2):86-9. doi: 10.1016/j.neucir.2013.05.001. Epub 2013 Jun 30.

Abstract

Spontaneous pneumocephalus following cerebrospinal fluid shunt is a rare complication. In most cases, the air enters in the intracranial cavity via a skull base defect. We report 2 cases of delayed tension pneumocephalus, secondary to ventriculoperitoneal shunt, and review the etiopathogenesis, prevention and treatment of this condition.

Keywords: Delayed pneumocephalus; Derivación ventriculoperitoneal; Neumoencéfalo a tensión; Neumoencéfalo tardío; Tension pneumocephalus; Ventriculoperitoneal shunt.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Frontal Sinus / pathology
  • Headache / etiology
  • Humans
  • Hydrocephalus / complications
  • Hydrocephalus / surgery
  • Intracranial Aneurysm / complications
  • Intracranial Hypertension / complications
  • Intracranial Hypotension / complications
  • Intracranial Hypotension / physiopathology
  • Language Disorders / etiology
  • Male
  • Meningitis / complications
  • Middle Aged
  • Paresis / etiology
  • Pneumocephalus / etiology*
  • Pneumocephalus / physiopathology
  • Postoperative Complications / etiology*
  • Skull Base / pathology
  • Subarachnoid Hemorrhage / complications
  • Time Factors
  • Ventriculoperitoneal Shunt / adverse effects*