The specifics of diagnosis and surgical treatment of traumatic pneumocephalus

Traumatic pneumocefalus (TPC)--complication of severe craniocerebral injury--occurs, as a rule, in fractures, line of which is coming across the air-containing sinuses of the skull base. Depending on the air localization subarachnoidal, subdural, epidural, ventricular, clinically asymptomatic and strained forms of TPC are discerned. TPC diagnosis is based on taking into account the clinico-neurological and radiological examination peculiarities. In the acute craniocerebral injury period surgical treatment for parabasal injuries is directed on the skull cavity hermetization and for TPC--the valve mechanism abolition, liquorous fistula closure, the air tumor emptying and intracranial space hermetization. Presence of strained progressing TPC constitutes the life perilous indication for surgical intervention.