Intraventricular Tension Pneumocephalus as a Complication of Transfrontal Craniectomy: A Case Report

• Published in: Veterinary surgery Vol. 31; no. 3; pp. 226 - 231
• Main Authors: Garosi, Laurent S., Penderis, Jacques, Brearley, Malcom J., Brearley, Jacky C., Dennis, Ruth, Kirkpatrick, P. J.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford, UK Blackwell Science Inc 01.05.2002
• Subjects: Animals; Cerebral Ventricles; Craniotomy - adverse effects; Craniotomy - veterinary; Diagnosis, Differential; Dog Diseases - diagnosis; Dog Diseases - diagnostic imaging; Dog Diseases - surgery; Dogs; Female; Fistula - etiology; Fistula - pathology; Fistula - surgery; Magnetic Resonance Imaging - veterinary; Meningeal Neoplasms - diagnosis; Meningeal Neoplasms - surgery; Meningeal Neoplasms - veterinary; Meningioma - diagnosis; Meningioma - surgery; Meningioma - veterinary; Pneumocephalus - etiology; Pneumocephalus - pathology; Pneumocephalus - surgery; Radiography
• ISSN: 0161-3499; 1532-950X
• DOI: 10.1053/jvet.2002.32449

Objective— To report the diagnosis and surgical treatment of a case of intraventricular tension pneumocephalus in a dog after a transfrontal craniectomy for removal of a falx cerebri meningioma. Study design— Case report. Animal— A 12‐year‐old spayed English springer spaniel. Results— Intraventricular air and a fistula between the craniectomy site and ventricular system were identified by magnetic resonance imaging. Prompt repair of the dural defect using prosthetic dura mater resulted in immediate regression of the neurological signs and cerebral spinal fluid rhinorrhea. Magnetic resonance imaging repeated 8 weeks after surgery showed complete resolution of pneumocephalus. Conclusions and clinical relevance— Tension pneumocephalus is an uncommon but life‐threatening complication of craniectomy that requires urgent diagnosis and treatment.