Pneumocephalus With Stroke-Like Symptoms: A Rare Complication of Mastoiditis

Abstract

Pneumocephalus is defined as the presence of gas or air in the intracranial space and typically arises as a result of neurotrauma. Clinically, pneumocephalus most often presents asymptomatically but may cause headache, nausea, vomiting, and confusion. Pneumocephalus arising from mastoiditis is an unforeseen complication with only a handful of cases reported. We report a case of an elderly male who presented with stroke-like symptoms in the setting of erosive mastoiditis with pneumocephalus.

Keywords: critical care; erosive mastoiditis; middle ear disease; pneumocephalus; stroke-like symptoms; ventriculitis.