Pneumocephalus and Neurologic Deficit Due to Neck Stab Wound in a Twenty Nine-Year-Old Man

Abstract

Abstract Introduction: The presence of air within the intracranial cavity, due to the entry of air secondary to an abnormal communication after a dural tear, is defined as pneumocephalus and intraventricular pneumocephalus also known as pneumoventricle. Obviously, common etiologies of pneumocephalus are head injury and cranial surgery. Also, less common non-traumatic causes of pneumo- cephalus are neoplasm or from a gas-forming organism infection. Although pneumocephalus after spinal penetrating injuries is rare,it was reported. The object of this report is to describe the case of patient with pneumoventricle after neck spinal stab wound. Case Presentation: A 29-year-old man presented to ED with complaint of two stab wounds, one of them was located at the right back chest and the other at themidline neck. Because of the respiratory distress and decreased breath sounds, after taking a chest X-ray, we realized hemothorax in right hemithorax and placed the chest tube in ED. In addition, in requested neck CT scan, there was a defuse air in neck spine that spread to his brain. Furthermore, neurologic examination showed weakness in left leg motor function and loss of pain and temperature sensation in the other leg, which was based on brown-sequard syndrome. Mentioned patient admitted in neurosurgery department for further follow-up. Conclusions: Pneumoventricle is rare but it can be established after spinal trauma. By awareness of such possibility, accurate diag- nosis by clinical examination and imaging is essential for these types of injuries