Pneumocephalus, Pneumocele

Pneumocephalus and pneumocele are conditions in which air gets trapped inside the cranial cavity. Typically, these conditions arise as a result of a fracture of the walls of any air sinus of the skull. Pneumocephalus can develop with fractures of the maxillary sinuses, and pneumocele - with fractures of the middle ear tissue.

Fractures of the air sinuses of the skull can lead to disruption of the integrity of their walls and the entry of air into the cranial cavity. In addition, during a fracture, cerebrospinal fluid can enter the sinus, which is then released from the nasal cavity. This can lead to the development of pneumocephalus.

Pneumocephalus can be determined by x-ray examination of the skull by the presence of clearly visible liquid or air inside its cavity. However, a more accurate diagnosis can be made using computed tomography or nuclear magnetic resonance.

Pneumocephalus and pneumocele may be accompanied by headaches, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, blurred vision and consciousness. If these conditions are detected, you should seek medical help.

Treatment of pneumocephalus and pneumocele depends on their severity and the reasons that caused their development. Minor pneumocephalus and pneumocele may not require treatment and may resolve on their own. However, in more severe cases, surgery may be required to remove the air and restore the integrity of the walls of the air sinuses of the skull.

In general, pneumocephalus and pneumocele are serious conditions that require close monitoring and prompt treatment. Early diagnosis and treatment can help avoid possible complications and reduce risks to the patient's health.

Pneumocephalus, Pneumocele - the presence of air inside the cranial cavity; usually occurs as a result of a fracture of the walls of any air sinus of the skull. Due to the fracture, cerebrospinal fluid may enter the sinus, which is then released from the nasal cavity.

Pneumocephalus can be determined by X-ray examination of the skull by the presence of clearly visible fluid or air inside its cavity, as well as by computed tomography or nuclear magnetic resonance.

Pneumocephalus is the opposite of hydrocephalus – an increase in the volume of the cranial cavities to a pathological level. The volume does not increase due to liquid. Where it usually is, there is gas or air. Although in both cases we are talking about an increase in content, the mechanism of their formation is different. If in the first case this occurs due to increased metabolic processes due to increased formation of cerebrospinal fluid, then in the second - due to the entry of air into the space between the hard and soft tissues of the skull through damaged vessels.

There are two conditions whose names can be found in the literature, but which are not found in the conclusion about the severity of the patient’s condition. These are pneumocele and pneumatocele. Although their meaning is the same, the concept of pneumatocele is applied to the circulatory system, which is fundamentally different from pneumovasculitis associated with more plastic fluid spaces, i.e. cerebrospinal fluid gaps, indicating problems that arose during the course of a traumatic brain injury. To understand the degree of neglect of the condition, it is the clinical manifestations, the dynamics of processes, the scale of distribution and other nuances that are analyzed.