Tension Pneumocephalus Unexpected Complication Following Lumbar Disc Surgery.

Pneumocephalus (PNC) is termed as an abnormal air presence in the cranium. PNC is a well-known complication of epidural and spinal anesthesia but it develops rarely after spinal surgery for lumbar disc herniation. A 67-year-old female patient was presented to the emergency department (ED) with diffuse non-localized headache and change in mental status. Non-contrast brain-computed tomography scans revealed massive PNC in the frontotemporal fossa and intraorbital region. The patient was transferred to the neurosurgery intensive care unit for clinical observation. Among patients admitted to the ED in the early period after spinal surgery; PNC should be considered in the differential diagnosis if there is persistent headache and confusion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]