Sidi Salem-Memou1, Bernard Vallee2, Timothée Jacquesson2, Emmanuel Jouanneau2, Moncef Berhouma3. 1. Department of Neurosurgery B, Pierre Wertheimer Neurological and Neurosurgical Hospital, Hospices Civils de Lyon, France. 2. Department of Neurosurgery B, Pierre Wertheimer Neurological and Neurosurgical Hospital, Hospices Civils de Lyon, France; Research and Education Unit of Medicine, Claude Bernard University Lyon, France. 3. Department of Neurosurgery B, Pierre Wertheimer Neurological and Neurosurgical Hospital, Hospices Civils de Lyon, France. Electronic address: berhouma.moncef@gmail.com.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Delayed intraventricular pneumocephalus is a very rare and potentially serious complication of ventriculoperitoneal shunt. It can occur several months or years after shunting. Its pathogenesis is unclear. We herein discuss the underlying mechanisms and particularly the possible role of positive pressure ventilation. CASE DESCRIPTION: A 60 year-old man presented with a lateral ventricle neurocytoma microsurgically resected complicated by a late-onset (15 months) postoperative hydrocephalus requiring an adjustable ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt. One month later, the patient was diagnosed with a sleep apnea and required a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) device. A few weeks afterward the patient presented with headaches and alteration of consciousness. CT-Scan revealed a massive intraventricular pneumocephalus associated with a millimetric left petrous bone defect. A transient breakout of the positive ventilation and a subtemporal surgical repair of the defect led to the rapid resolution of the pneumocephalus. DISCUSSION: Delayed intraventricular pneumocephalus requires two conditions: a VP shunt and an osteodural defect. The CPAP may play an important trigger role in the pathogenesis of this complication through a ball valve mechanism. The management relies on transient suspension of the positive ventilation and the surgical repair of the identified defect with or without pressure adjustments of the valve. CONCLUSION: Intraventricular pneumocephalus is a potentially serious complication of patients with a VP shunt and receiving positive pressure ventilation. The introduction of a CPAP device must be discussed with the neurosurgeon beforehand in shunted patients.
BACKGROUND: Delayed intraventricular pneumocephalus is a very rare and potentially serious complication of ventriculoperitoneal shunt. It can occur several months or years after shunting. Its pathogenesis is unclear. We herein discuss the underlying mechanisms and particularly the possible role of positive pressure ventilation. CASE DESCRIPTION: A 60 year-old man presented with a lateral ventricle neurocytoma microsurgically resected complicated by a late-onset (15 months) postoperative hydrocephalus requiring an adjustable ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt. One month later, the patient was diagnosed with a sleep apnea and required a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) device. A few weeks afterward the patient presented with headaches and alteration of consciousness. CT-Scan revealed a massive intraventricular pneumocephalus associated with a millimetric left petrous bone defect. A transient breakout of the positive ventilation and a subtemporal surgical repair of the defect led to the rapid resolution of the pneumocephalus. DISCUSSION: Delayed intraventricular pneumocephalus requires two conditions: a VP shunt and an osteodural defect. The CPAP may play an important trigger role in the pathogenesis of this complication through a ball valve mechanism. The management relies on transient suspension of the positive ventilation and the surgical repair of the identified defect with or without pressure adjustments of the valve. CONCLUSION:Intraventricular pneumocephalus is a potentially serious complication of patients with a VP shunt and receiving positive pressure ventilation. The introduction of a CPAP device must be discussed with the neurosurgeon beforehand in shunted patients.