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DOI: 10.4103/ajns.AJNS_253_19
Suprasellar tension pneumatocele after endoscopic transsphenoidal surgery for pituitary macroadenoma
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Tension pneumatocele is a very rare but potentially fatal complication of transsphenoidal surgery that can result from an influx of air into the intracranial cavity through the cerebrospinal fluid fistula. Although transsphenoidal surgeries for pituitary adenomas are very commonly performed procedures, this complication is extremely rare. We report a case of tension pneumatocele after transsphenoidal resection of a pituitary macroadenoma. After a second endoscopic transsphenoidal procedure to remove the air and repair of the sella floor, visual acuity recovered dramatically. Tension pneumatocele is an uncommon but potentially lethal complication of transsphenoidal pituitary surgery, which can present anytime, even after years postoperatively. It is important for all skull base surgeons to be aware of this condition so that prompt treatment can be instituted.
Financial support and sponsorship
Nil.
Publication History
Received: 14 August 2019
Accepted: 24 March 2020
Article published online:
16 August 2022
© 2020. Asian Congress of Neurological Surgeons. This is an open access article published by Thieme under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonDerivative-NonCommercial License, permitting copying and reproduction so long as the original work is given appropriate credit. Contents may not be used for commercial purposes, or adapted, remixed, transformed or built upon. (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/)
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