Intrauterine chronic subdural hematoma with postoperative tension pneumocephalus

Abstract

A newborn infant demonstrated prenatal, bilateral chronic subdural hematomas with recent hemorrhage, internal hydrocephalus, and macrocephaly at birth. Serial cranial ultrasound and computed tomography evaluations revealed progressive hydrocephalus and subdural hematomas. Following surgical evacuation of subdural hematomas the child developed tension pneumocephalus with clinical deterioration. The pathogenesis of congenital subdural hematoma and rare postoperative complication of tension pneumocephalus are discussed.