Pneumocephalus

Pneumocephalus

The brain is surrounded by fluid (cerebrospinal fluid, or CSF) that is held in by a sac (dura). Pneumocephalus occurs when you have air inside your skull and around your brain (intracranial air).

This can happen for many reasons, such as a complication after brain surgery (neurosurgery) or any other condition that can lead to a tear in the dura.

Pneumocephalus may not cause symptoms, and the body may absorb the air over time. However, if intracranial air builds up and cannot be released or absorbed, it can put pressure on your brain (tension pneumocephalus). Tension pneumocephalus is a medical emergency that requires immediate treatment.

What are the causes?

Pneumocephalus can occur as a complication after neurosurgery. Other causes include:

  • Back surgery.
  • Brain or skull injury.
  • Spinal tap (lumbar puncture).
  • Anesthetic medicine injected into the spinal canal (epidural anesthetic).
  • Procedures to drain CSF, such as an external ventricular drain or lumbar drain.
  • Sinus or ear surgery.
  • Breathing oxygen that is forced through a mask (positive pressure ventilation).
  • Infections of the brain. This is rare.
  • Infections of the bone behind the ear (mastoiditis). This is rare.

Sometimes, the cause is not known (spontaneous pneumocephalus).

What are the signs or symptoms?

This condition may not cause signs or symptoms. If you do have signs or symptoms, they may include:

  • Headache.
  • Confusion.
  • Restlessness.
  • Hearing a splashing sound when you move your head.
  • Changes in vision.
  • Loss of consciousness.
  • Seizures.
  • High blood pressure.
  • Slow heart rate.
  • Weakness or numbness in an arm or leg.
  • Drooping on one side of the face.
  • Slurred speech.

How is this diagnosed?

Your health care provider may suspect pneumocephalus if you have signs or symptoms of the condition, especially if you recently had neurosurgery or another surgical procedure. This is usually diagnosed with imaging tests, including:

  • CT scan.
  • MRI.

How is this treated?

If you have mild symptoms or no symptoms at all, you may not need treatment. You may need frequent visits with your provider until the air is absorbed. If you have symptoms of brain pressure for pneumocephalus, treatment may include:

  • Taking antibiotic medicines, if infection is suspected.
  • Taking oxygen through a face mask.
  • Surgery to repair a CSF leak.
  • Having a procedure to drill a small hole through your skull to release pressure and air (burr hole craniotomy).

Follow these instructions at home:

  • Take over-the-counter and prescription medicines only as told by your health care provider.
  • If you were prescribed an antibiotic medicine, take it as told by your health care provider. Do not stop taking the antibiotic even if your condition improves.
  • Keep all follow-up visits as told by your health care provider. This is important.

Get help right away if:

  • You have a very bad headache.
  • You develop weakness or numbness in an arm or leg.
  • You have a fever.
  • You develop facial drooping or slurred speech.
  • You become very confused.
  • You lose consciousness or have a seizure.

These symptoms may represent a serious problem that is an emergency. Do not wait to see if the symptoms will go away. Get medical help right away. Call your local emergency services (911 in the U.S.). Do not drive yourself to the hospital.

Summary

  • Pneumocephalus occurs when you have air inside your skull and around your brain (intracranial air).
  • This condition can happen for many reasons, such as a complication after brain surgery (neurosurgery) or any other condition that can lead to a tear in the fluid-filled sac that surrounds the brain (dura).
  • Pneumocephalus may not cause symptoms, and the body may absorb the air over time.
  • If you have mild symptoms or no symptoms at all, you may not need treatment. You may need frequent visits with your provider until the air is absorbed.
15585

Sign up to receive the trending updates and tons of Health Tips

Join SeekhealthZ and never miss the latest health information

15856