Pneumocephalus after the Treatment of an Inoperable Superior Sulcus Tumor with Chemoradiation

Background. Pneumocephalus is a rare phenomenon that can occur as a complication after operations involving the thoracic discs, following thoracotomy for tumor resection, and after an intracranial operation or cranial trauma. This complication frequently occurs when a tumor is located in the costove...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Ashley Albert, Robert Allbright, Todd Nichols, Edward Farley, Srinivasan Vijayakumar
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Hindawi Limited 2017-01-01
Series:Case Reports in Oncological Medicine
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2017/3016517
Description
Summary:Background. Pneumocephalus is a rare phenomenon that can occur as a complication after operations involving the thoracic discs, following thoracotomy for tumor resection, and after an intracranial operation or cranial trauma. This complication frequently occurs when a tumor is located in the costovertebral angle and an operative intervention creates a tear in the dura resulting in a pleural-dural fistula. Case Presentation. We describe the case of a 58-year-old man with an inoperable superior sulcus tumor who developed pneumocephalus after the initiation of chemoradiation secondary to a pleural-dural fistula. Conclusions. Although a rare occurrence, pneumocephalus should be considered when patients with tumors in the superior sulcus treated with radiation develop neurologic symptoms characteristic of increased intracranial pressure.
ISSN:2090-6706
2090-6714