Spontaneous otogenic pneumocephalus: a case report and review of the literature

Authors

• Sarah E. Lawhon, LSU Health Sciences Center - New OrleansFollow
• Moises Arriaga, LSU Health Sciences Center - New OrleansFollow
• Cole T. Lewis, LSU Health Sciences Center - New OrleansFollow

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

8-15-2026

Publication Title

Interdisciplinary Neurosurgery

Abstract

Spontaneous otogenic pneumocephalus (SOP) is a rare condition in which air enters the intracranial space through the temporal bone. It requires an extracranial-intracranial fistula and a pressure gradient for air entry. SOP can result from congenital or acquired defects in the temporal bone.

It is often associated with chronic intracranial hypertension or chronic elevations in middle ear pressure. Surgery for SOP aims to relieve tension and close fistulous connections. We summarize 78 cases of SOP reported in the literature, along with hypothesized etiologies. A case of tension SOP within the temporal lobe due to a tegmen defect and frequent sneezing is also presented.

Volume

45

Publisher

Elsevier B.V.

Rights

© 2026 The Authors.

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 International License.

Recommended Citation

Lawhon, Sarah E.; Arriaga, Moises; and Lewis, Cole T., "Spontaneous otogenic pneumocephalus: a case report and review of the literature" (2026). School of Medicine Faculty Publications. 5254.
https://digitalscholar.lsuhsc.edu/som_facpubs/5254
10.1016/j.inat.2026.102331