Pneumocephalus, coma and seizures following lumbar decompression surgery.

We describe a patient with pneumocephalus following lumbar decompression surgery who presented altered mental status at time to awake of anaesthesia and the patient was admitted in intesive care unit in mechanical ventilation. The patient has not eye-opening response, no verbal response and motor response only withdraw in response to pain (7 points on Glasgow coma scale). Then, the patient experienced a generalized tonic-clonic seizure. Immediate cranial computed tomography (CT) images were performed. Cerebral pneumocephalus was present in CT, imaging revealed a voluminous pneumocephalus responsible for a significantspace-occupying effect on the frontal and parietal lobes, lateral ventricles and quadrigeminal plate cistern. Anti-epileptic therapy (Diazepam and levetiracetam) and neurological monitoring were initiated. At 12 postoperative hours repeat CT scanning showed pneumocephalus were completely improved to minimal quantity and only limited to frontal lobe. The consciousness is impaired, and a generalized tonic-clonic seizure was present. Electroencephalogram showed continuous epileptiform activity and phenytoin IV was administered in continuous infusión. Four hours later the level of consciousness gradually improved, and the patient was right in eye opening, verbal and motor responses. A few hours later the patient was extubated, and no neurological deficits were present. Pneumocephalus should be considered in the differential diagnosis when evaluating a patient with altered mental status following lumbar surgery.