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Atypical Headache After Prolonged Treatment With Nasal Continuous Positive Airway Pressure
Author(s) -
Bernstein Allan L.,
Cassidy John,
Duchynski Robert,
Eisenberg Stephen S.
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
headache: the journal of head and face pain
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.14
H-Index - 119
eISSN - 1526-4610
pISSN - 0017-8748
DOI - 10.1111/j.1526-4610.2005.05117_3.x
Subject(s) - medicine , continuous positive airway pressure , anesthesia , airway , dermatology , obstructive sleep apnea
We report a case of atraumatic pneumocephalus associated with prolonged use of nasal continuous positive airway pressure. Initial symptoms included headache, ataxia, vertigo, and a “gurgling” sensation in the head; and a CT image showed small air bubbles along the falx of cerebrum and adjacent to the temporal epidural spaces bilaterally. Although no evidence of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak was either reported by the patient or found at initial clinical examination, subsequent nasal discharge tested positive for β2‐transferrin, a finding consistent with CSF leak in the paranasal sinus region or through the cribriform plate. To try to prevent infection from an open communication between the paranasal sinuses and intracranial structures, an attempt should be made to localize the anatomic defect.