Abstract Traumatic pneumorachis is a rare but known complication of basilar skull fracture with air localized in the cervical subarachnoid space. Extradural, intraspinal and epidural air may also be associated with other traumatic etiologies. The incidental finding of intraspinal air in the trauma setting mandates a search for the etiology. We present a case of traumatic cervical pneumorachis and open skull fracture. Plain radiographs demonstrated subtle air lucency in the spinal canal.