A hypothesis of traumatic subdural effusion associated with communicating hydrocephalus in infants and its management.

We report a case with both traumatic subdural effusion (TSE) and associated hydrocephalus. A collapse of the sinuses is known to be present in some infants with external hydrocephalus, but collapsed sinuses have not been previously described in patients with TSE and associated hydrocephalus. Therefore, a preoperative magnetic resonance imaging venography was performed, with thrombosis in the left transverse and sigmoid sinuses identified. The infant was treated with subdural peritoneostomy. We hypothesized that an occlusive cerebral venous sinus thrombosis may well be the culprit, or an exacerbating factor for TSE associated with hydrocephalus.