Synonyms
Cranial aerocele; Cranial pneumocyst; Pneumatocele; Pneumocephalon; Pneumocranium
Definition
Pneumocephalus is the presence of air in the intracranial cavity. Air may be epidural, subdural, subarachnoid, or intracerebral. The most common cause of pneumocephalus is neuro-trauma. Other causes of pneumocephalus include tumors, infections, fistulous tract formation, and a complication from surgery. Symptoms of pneumocephalus include headache, lethargy, and disorientation. The air is usually absorbed by the body within hours to weeks. A major concern with pneumocephalus is infection, and antibiotics are often administered.
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References and Readings
Markham, J. W. (1967). The clinical features of pneumocephalus based upon a survey of 284 cases with report of 11 additional cases. Acta Neurochirurgica, 16, 1–78.
Steudel, W. I., & Hacker, H. (1986). Prognosis, incidence and management of acute traumatic intracranial pneumocephalus. Acta Neurochirurgica, 80, 93–99.
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Graf, M.R. (2018). Pneumocephalus. In: Kreutzer, J.S., DeLuca, J., Caplan, B. (eds) Encyclopedia of Clinical Neuropsychology. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-57111-9_351
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-57111-9_351
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