Subdural tension pneumocephalos

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Abstract
Two patients developed subdural tension pneumocephalus after undergoing posterior fossa surgery performed in the sitting position. The mechanism for entry of air into the intracranial compartment is analogous to the entry of air into an inverted soda-pop bottle. As the fluid pours out, air bubbles come to the top of the container. This was referred to as the inverted pop-bottle syndrome. Computerized tomography provided prompt diagnosis and confirmed brain displacement. Twist-drill aspiration of the air resulted in improvement in both patients, although 1 patient subsequently died from an intracerebellar hemorrhage. Tension pneumocephalus appears to be another potential complication of posterior fossa surgery in the sitting position. This condition is easily diagnosed and treated, and should be considered whenever a patient fails to recover as expected following posterior fossa surgery.

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