Journal of Surgical Technique and Case Report
Journal of Surgical Technique and Case Report
CASE REPORT
Year : 2015  |  Volume : 7  |  Issue : 1  |  Page : 20-22

Intraoperative development of tension pneumocephalus in a patient undergoing repair of a cranial-dural defect under nitrous oxide anesthesia


1 Division of Plastic Surgery, Center for Surgery and Public Health, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA
2 Department of Neurosurgery, Center for Surgery and Public Health, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA, USA
3 Department of Surgery, Center for Surgery and Public Health, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA, USA

Correspondence Address:
Edward J Caterson
Division of Plastic Surgery, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 75 Francis Street, Boston, MA 02115
USA
Login to access the Email id

Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None


DOI: 10.4103/2006-8808.184942

Rights and Permissions

Rapid buildup of gas within the cranial vault can result in a life-threatening condition known as “tension pneumocephalus,” necessitating immediate surgical intervention. Nitrous oxide (N2O), a commonly used inhaled anesthetic, is associated with the development of tension pneumocephalus and its role in neurosurgical procedures has been debated in the literature. We present a case of tension pneumocephalus with preexisting pneumocephalus secondary to the usage of N2O as an inhaled anesthetic. Included is a literature review of studies discussing the role of N2O in the development of tension pneumocephalus. N2O is associated with tension pneumocephalus especially in the setting of preexisting pneumocephalus. Tension pneumocephalus can manifest as Cushing response and immediate decompression is life-saving. Nitrous oxide should be used cautiously in neurosurgical procedures, especially with preexisting pneumocephalus.


[FULL TEXT] [PDF]*
Print this article     Email this article
 Next article
 Previous article
 Table of Contents

 Similar in PUBMED
   Search Pubmed for
   Search in Google Scholar for
 Related articles
 Citation Manager
 Access Statistics
 Reader Comments
 Email Alert *
 Add to My List *
 * Requires registration (Free)
 

 Article Access Statistics
    Viewed732    
    Printed22    
    Emailed0    
    PDF Downloaded39    
    Comments [Add]    
    Cited by others 1    

Recommend this journal