Tension pneumocephalus, an uncommon complication of oxygen therapy in preterm newborns. Presentation of a case and literature review

Abstract

Tension pneumocephalus is an extremely rare complication of positive-pressure ventilation in neonates, the diagnosis of which requires a high degree of clinical suspicion. We present the case of a preterm newborn, who received high-flow nasal cannula oxygen therapy because of hyaline membrane disease, due to his prematurity, and developed clinical signs of intracranial hypertension. Transfontanellar ultrasound and cranial CT scan revealed significant tension pneumocephalus, which was evacuated with direct needle puncture through the anterior fontanelle.

Keywords: Cánulas nasales de alto flujo; Evacuación transfontanelar; High-flow nasal cannula; Neumoencéfalo a tensión; Newborn; Prematuro; Preterm; Tension pneumocephalus; Transfontanellar evacuation.