A Case of Cerebrospinal Fluid Leakage and Pneumocephalus Developed Secondary to Thoracic Knife Injury of the Spine

Abstract

Pneumocephalus is defined as the presence of air in the intracranial cavity. This condition emerges secondary to several specific types of mechanism of injury such as head trauma, missile injuries and spinal stab wounds. Stab wounds of the back can reach to spinal canal and damage the spinal cord. Even if it doesn’t damage the spinal cord, it can cause leakage of cerebrospinal fluid and pneumocephalus. This condition is rare but it can lead to life- threatening conditions such as meningitis. In the present study a case with delayed CSF leakage and pneumocephalus developed after stab wound of the back.