Case Report Braz J Anesthesiol 2021

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy in the treatment of pneumocephalus associated with epidural block: case report

Castedo J, Ferreira A, Camacho Ó, Braz J Anesthesiol, 2021

View Original on PubMed PMID 33957186

Tier 2, Indexed

Automatically imported from PubMed based on relevance criteria.

Summary

What Researchers Did

Doctors describe treating a patient who developed trapped air inside the skull after an epidural pain-block procedure.

What They Found

This case report describes a 51-year-old patient who developed pneumocephalus with decreased consciousness after epidural analgesia following knee replacement surgery. The patient received hyperbaric oxygen therapy due to the severity of symptoms. After just one HBOT session, the patient had nearly full resorption of the trapped air and significant clinical recovery.

Canadian Relevance

No direct Canadian connection identified.

Study Limitations

This is a single case report, so the findings cannot be generalized and do not prove HBOT causes recovery from pneumocephalus.

This plain-language summary was generated with AI assistance from the study's abstract; it has not been individually reviewed by a clinician. Always consult the source study and a qualified healthcare professional. See our editorial policy.

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Study Details

Study Type	Case Report
Category	Neurological
Source	Pubmed
PubMed ID	33957186
Year Published	2021
Journal	Braz J Anesthesiol
MeSH Terms	Analgesia, Epidural; Humans; Hyperbaric Oxygenation; Middle Aged; Pneumocephalus

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Disclaimer: This study summary is provided for informational and educational purposes only. It does not constitute medical advice. The information presented reflects the findings of the original research authors and may not represent the views of Canada Hyperbarics. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making treatment decisions.

Last updated: March 19, 2026 | Reviewed by: Canada Hyperbarics Editorial Team | Editorial process | Research sources | Counts & methodology