Context: A pneumorrhachis (PR) is a rare phenomenon in which air is found in the spinal canal. There are multiple etiologies, including iatrogenic, nontraumatic, and traumatic. Most traumatic PR are asymptomatic and resolve on their own, but a subset are symptomatic and require urgent surgical intervention. This case describes a traumatic PR in which a headache was the primary symptom.
Findings: A 17-year-old male sustained a gunshot wound to the left flank with associated bilateral pulmonary lacerations, multiple rib fractures, and T5-7 vertebral body fractures with displaced bony fragments causing spinal cord injury with resultant paraplegia (T3 AIS-A) was admitted to inpatient rehabilitation. Three weeks into his course of rehabilitation, he developed throbbing headaches that were found to be caused by a subarachnoid PR. He underwent a T4-7 laminectomy with repair of dural tear and theco-pleural-bronch-fistula closure, and his headaches subsequently resolved.
Discussion/clinical relevance: This case demonstrated that a headache can be a presenting symptom of a subarachnoid PR.
Keywords: Gunshot wound; Headache; Pneumorrhachis; Spinal cord injury.