|
Journal of The Korean Society of Emergency Medicine 2002;13(3): 362-365. |
A Case of Localized Spontaneous Pneumocephalus Caused by Pneumococcal Meningitis |
Seung Chul Lee, Myung Chun Kim, Young Gwan Ko |
Department of Emergency Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Korea. edkmc@chollian.net |
|
|
|
ABSTRACT |
Pneumocephalus is defined as "the presence of air or gas within the cranial cavity." Intracranial air may represent an incidental finding of no clinical significance or more aggressive, life-threatening disease. It is usually associated with head trauma and surgery, tumor, brain abscess, postradiation necrosis, or diagnostic procedures.
In the absence of head trauma or surgery, meningitis due to gas-forming organisms is an extremely rare cause of pneumocephalus. We report an unusual case of a localized spontaneous pneumocephalus caused by pneumococcal meningitis in the absence of head trauma, surgery, and brain abscess. |
Key words:
Pneumocephalus, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Meningitis |
|
|
|