Spontaneous pneumocephalus associated with pneumocele of the frontal sinus.

BACKGROUND

Pneumoceles of the paranasal sinuses are a very rare condition; characterized by a distended air-filled paranasal sinus extending beyond the margins of the paranasal bone, with bony defects and extension of air into the surrounding soft tissues. Also, spontaneous pneumo-cephalus is a rare condition which represented only 0.6% in the largest reported series of pneumocephalus. Although pneumocephalus caused by sinogenic origins, such as osteoma, has been reported, spontaneous pneumocephalus has not been reported as a complication associated with pneumocele of the frontal sinus.

METHODS

We report a case of spontaneous pneumocephalus associated with a pneumocele involving the frontal sinus which presented as acute severe headache.

RESULTS

To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case report in literature reporting spontaneous pneumocephalus in association with pneumocele of the frontal sinus.

CONCLUSIONS

Although pneumocele of the frontal sinus is a very rare condition, it can develop into spontaneous pneumocephalus, and thus it needs to be included in the differential diagnosis of acute severe headache.