Background The Mount Fuji sign (MFS) is a radiological sign on computed tomographic scans depicting air between the frontal lobes. Air in this location indicates tension pneumocephalus (TP), considered a neurosurgical emergency. We evaluate the correlation between the MFS and perioperative mortality attributed to TP in nonagenarians who have undergone evacuation of chronic subdural hemorrhage (cSDH). Materials and Methods We retrospectively reviewed the records of nonagenarians who had cSDH evacuation between 2006 and 2015. Postoperative computed tomographic images were evaluated for findings consistent with the MFS. Results Of 45 patients, 15 patients (33%) had radiological MFS, and 3 patients (20%) with MFS required reoperation because of new blood collection. No patient required reoperation because of TP. Perioperative (30-day) mortality in patients demonstrating the MFS was 6.67% caused by cardiac arrhythmia versus 13.33% mortality in patients with no evidence of the MFS. Conclusion Mount Fuji sign in nonagenarians after cSDH evacuation is not a specific sign of TP.
The purpose of this article is to present an example of a non-U.S. lawsuit in which a radiologist was found negligent in the case of a psychiatric patient who died by suicide after reading a radiology report sent directly to him.Although the lawsuit and its outcome do not influence laws in the United States or any country other than the one in which the case was tried, it should stimulate the radiologic community into giving serious thought to the format and manner in which reports of radiologic examinations are communicated to patients.
