Aim: Tension pneumocephalus is a problem that requires emergent intervention for the fact that it can lead to
sudden increase in intracranial pressure. In this study we present a case of late tension pneumocephaly which
threatened the life of the patient.
Subject: A 63-year-old man was admitted to our emergency unit with severe headache after being involved in a
traffic accident. Radiological exams showed frontal sinus fracture, frontal cerebral contusion and minimal
pneumocephalus. Conservative treatment was initiated. On the eleventh day he had a disturbance in consiousness,
hence another cranial computerized tomography was taken which revealed subdural, intraventricular and
intraparenchymal tense air that caused high pressure on the brain and intracranial areas including the posterior
fossa. The patient was operated on urgently and the tense air was evacuated. During the postoperative period the
patient’s state of conscious began to improve.
Result: In view of this situation, although tension pneumocephaly generally develops during the early posttraumatic
period, it should be kept in mind that it can also develop in the late phase. So long-term, close observation for the
patients with simple pneumocephaly is beneficial.
Key Words: Head Trauma, Delayed Tension Pneumocephalus
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