Management Problems in Acute Hydrocephalus After Subarachnoid Hemorrhage

Abstract

Acute hydrocephalus is not an uncommon complication after subarachnoid hemorrhage [3, 4]. Reports on its frequency of occurrence range from 9% [7] to 67% [1], mainly because of varying definitions. The decision to treat acute hydrocephalus may be difficult for several reasons. First, impaired consciousness on admission may result from the initial bleeding or from hydrocephalus. Second, when the decision to perform ventricular drainage has been made, the question rises whether this should be done by external CSF drainage or by internal shunting. Third, it has been suggested that early ventricular drainage may precipitate rebleeding. In this study we report on the management problems of 102 patients with hydrocephalus after subarachnoid hemorrhage, from a consecutive series of 473 patients.