Effects of hyperbaric oxygenation therapy on symptomatic pneumocephalus

Figures & data

Table 1 Distribution of patients according to treatment group, age, and trauma mechanism

Group	Age (years)/sex	Trauma mechanism	GCS
HBO2	37/M	MVA	14
HBO2	43/F	MVA	15
HBO2	43/F	Falls	15
HBO2	36/M	Falls	13
HBO2	43/F	Agression	14
HBO2	27/F	MVA	15
HBO2	35/M	MVA	15
HBO2	32/F	MVA	15
HBO2	29/F	Falls	14
HBO2	37/M	MVA	13
HBO2	51/F	MVA	13
HBO2	33/F	Postoperative	14
HBO2	41/M	Postoperative	15
NBO	48/F	MVA	15
NBO	49/M	MVA	15
NBO	41/F	Falls	15
NBO	38/F	MVA	14
NBO	32/F	MVA	15
NBO	55/M	Falls	13
NBO	41/F	MVA	13
NBO	32/M	MVA	14
NBO	36/M	MVA	15
NBO	33/F	MVA	15
NBO	43/M	Falls	13

Abbreviations: HBO2, hyperbaric oxygenation; NBO, normobaric oxygenation; M, male; F, female; MVA, motor vehicle accident; GCS, Glasgow Coma Scale.

Figure 1 (A) Axial CT view depicting an extensive posttraumatic PNC with air bubbles located in the subaracnoid and subdural compartments. (B) Axial CT view after three sessions of HBO2 therapy.

Note: Notice the significant reduction of the amount of intracranial air.
Abbreviations: CT, computerized tomography; PNC, pneumocephalus; HBO2, hyperbaric oxygenation.

Figure 2 (A) Axial CT view depicting a subdural posttraumatic PNC. (B) Radiological evaluation after four sessions of HBO2 therapy demonstrates significant absorption of the intracranial air bubble.

Abbreviations: CT, computerized tomography; PNC, pneumocephalus; HBO2, hyperbaric oxygenation.

Table 2 Comparison between treated and control groups

Groups	Male/female	Median age (years)	Infection rate (%)	Time of radiological resolution (days)	Time of hospitalization (days)	P
Control group (n=11)	08/03	40.1	36.3	8.3	9.9	0.01
Treated group (n=13)	10/03	38.5	0.0	3.0	5.8