Biomaterial Database

Pneumocephalus secondary to cerebrobronchial fistula formed by a ventriculoatrial shunt. Case report. 1977

J T Stuntz, and R M Shuman

A case is presented in which the atrial tip of a ventriculoatrial shunt formed a fistulous connection with the bronchial tree in a child. This resulted in acute bronchopneumonia, pneumocephalus, and ventriculitis. Pneumocephalus was created by an artificial respirator forcing air along the shunt tract during treatment of bronchopneumonia. Sudden death was related to transtentorial herniation. The diagnosis of a cerebrobronchial fistula should be entertained in shunt patients with respiratory distress and radiographic pulmonary densities unresponsive to antibiotics.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D011007	Pneumocephalus	Presence of air or gas within the intracranial cavity (e.g., epidural space, subdural space, intracerebral, etc.) which may result from traumatic injuries, fistulous tract formation, erosions of the skull from NEOPLASMS or infection, NEUROSURGICAL PROCEDURES, and other conditions.	Cranial Pneumocyst,Intracranial Gas,Pneumocephalus, Tension,Cranial Airocele,Pneumocephalus, Epidural,Pneumocephalus, Traumatic,Pressure Pneumocephalus,Airocele, Cranial,Airoceles, Cranial,Cranial Airoceles,Cranial Pneumocysts,Epidural Pneumocephalus,Gas, Intracranial,Pneumocephalus, Pressure,Pneumocyst, Cranial,Pneumocysts, Cranial,Tension Pneumocephalus,Traumatic Pneumocephalus
D001983	Bronchial Fistula	An abnormal passage or communication between a bronchus and another part of the body.	Bronchial Fistulas,Fistula, Bronchial,Fistulas, Bronchial
D001996	Bronchopneumonia	Inflammation of the lung parenchyma that is associated with BRONCHITIS, usually involving lobular areas from TERMINAL BRONCHIOLES to the PULMONARY ALVEOLI. The affected areas become filled with exudate that forms consolidated patches.	Bronchial Pneumonia,Bronchial Pneumonias,Bronchopneumonias,Pneumonia, Bronchial,Pneumonias, Bronchial
D002552	Cerebral Ventricles	Four CSF-filled (see CEREBROSPINAL FLUID) cavities within the cerebral hemispheres (LATERAL VENTRICLES), in the midline (THIRD VENTRICLE) and within the PONS and MEDULLA OBLONGATA (FOURTH VENTRICLE).	Foramen of Monro,Cerebral Ventricular System,Cerebral Ventricle,Cerebral Ventricular Systems,Monro Foramen,System, Cerebral Ventricular,Systems, Cerebral Ventricular,Ventricle, Cerebral,Ventricles, Cerebral,Ventricular System, Cerebral,Ventricular Systems, Cerebral
D002557	Cerebrospinal Fluid Shunts	Tubes inserted to create communication between a cerebral ventricle and the internal jugular vein. Their emplacement permits draining of cerebrospinal fluid for relief of hydrocephalus or other condition leading to fluid accumulation in the ventricles.	Cerebrospinal Fluid Shunt,Shunt, Cerebrospinal Fluid,Shunts, Cerebrospinal Fluid
D002675	Child, Preschool	A child between the ages of 2 and 5.	Children, Preschool,Preschool Child,Preschool Children
D005260	Female		Females
D005402	Fistula	Abnormal communication most commonly seen between two internal organs, or between an internal organ and the surface of the body.	Fistulas
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man