Pneumocephalus and chylothorax complicating vertebrectomy for lung cancer.

Sugimoto, Seiichiro; Tanaka, Masato; Suzawa, Ken; Nishikawa, Hitoshi; Toyooka, Shinichi; Oto, Takahiro; Ozaki, Toshifumi; Miyoshi, Shinichiro · Ann Thorac Surg · 2015

case_report · Level V

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Abstract

Pneumocephalus is a rare, but potentially fatal complication of thoracic surgery. We describe a case of successful management of pneumocephalus complicated by persistent chylothorax developing after en bloc partial vertebrectomy performed after induction chemoradiotherapy for lung cancer invading the spine. Surgical treatment should be considered for pneumocephalus complicated by any condition requiring persistent chest drainage.

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