tension pneumocephalus

Tension pneumocephalus is a neurosurgical emergency that occurs when subdural air causes a mass-effect over the underlying brain parenchyma, often from a ball-valve mechanism causing one-way entry of air into the subdural space 1.

Clinical Presentation

• severe restlessness
• deteriorating consciousness
• focal neurological deficits
• cardiac arrest

Radiographic features Initially, subdural air compresses the frontal lobes resulting in the peaking sign is present, before the frontal lobes become separated in a characteristic appearance, aptly termed the Mount Fuji sign 3-5.