Pneumocephalus after acoustic neuroma surgery.

OBJECTIVE

The study was conducted to describe the diagnosis and management of pneumocephalus after acoustic tumor resection.

STUDY DESIGN

The study design was a retrospective chart review.

SETTING

The study was conducted as a tertiary otologic referral to the senior authors' practices (PAF, MDA).

PARTICIPANTS

Three patients operated on for acoustic tumor in St. Vincent's General Hospital and the Scottish Hospital, Sydney, Australia, were studied.

INTERVENTION

Observation in both cases and surgery in a case in which tension pneumocephalus was progressive were performed.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE

Recovery will follow either spontaneously or after intervention.

RESULTS

All patients had an uneventful recovery.

CONCLUSION

In most cases, spontaneous resolution occurs. However, if surgical re-exploration is indicated, it is best performed via the blind sac subtotal petrosectomy of Fisch.