Surgical techniques of tension pneumoventricle evacuation

Abstract

Introduction: Pneumoventricle is the presence of air in the ventricular system. When the air accumulates over time, exerting a mass effect over surrounding neurological structures and increasing intraventricular and intracranial pressures, it is called tension pneumoventricle. If left untreated, this condition may lead to rapid deterioration of the level of consciousness, coma, herniation, and death. Case presentation: We report a case of a 65-year-old man managed for acute hydrocephalus as a complication of anterior clinoid artery aneurysm clipping following aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage. He developed a tension pneumoventricle successfully managed by stereotactic evacuation of the air in the ventricles. Conclusion: Tension pneumoventricle is a rare, difficult-to-manage, complication of intracranial procedure that can be devastating for the untreated patient. Stereotactic evacuation of the air present inside the ventricle is a proven adequate solution.

Keywords

• Tension pneumoventricle
• Surgical techniques
• Stereotactic evacuation