Tension Pneumocephalus Associated with Negative Pressure Wound Therapy with Instillation and Dwell Time for Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus Infection After Spinal Deformity Surgery

Purpose Surgical site infection (SSI) is a serious complication after spine surgery. Recently, it has become possible to perform negative pressure wound therapy with instillation and dwell time (NPWTi-d) for postoperative infected wounds. We report the first rare case of symptomatic pneumoencephalopathy following NPWTi-d for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infection after spinal deformity surgery. Methods Retrospective review of a patient’s medical record and imaging. Results A 77-year-old female patient underwent posterior corrective fixation with no intraoperative complications. On the 10th postoperative day, SSI was diagnosed, and debridement was performed. Since MRSA was detected in the wound culture, and a prolonged inflammatory reaction was observed, NPWTi-d was started to preserve the instrumentation. Gradually, good granulation was observed, and the extensive soft tissue defect decreased. On the 29th day after the start of NPWTi-d, the patient experienced sudden headache and neck pain while standing, and head computed tomography led to the diagnosis of symptomatic pneumoencephalopathy. NPWTi-d was discontinued, and when surgery was performed to close the wound, dural injury was found, which was not present at the time of the initial surgery, and dural repair was performed. After 2 weeks of bed rest, the patient’s pneumoencephalopathy improved. Three years have passed since the surgery, and no recurrence of cerebrospinal fluid leakage or infection has been observed. Conclusions Although NPWTi-d is a useful treatment for SSI, it is always necessary to pay attention to the development of pneumoencephalopathy and promptly diagnose and treat it because of the risk of life-threatening complications.