Relationships between Head Circumference Percentile, Lumbar Puncture Pressure, and Cerebrospinal Fluid Space in Young Children: Increased Cerebrospinal Space and Pressure May Result in Compensatory Enlargement of Head Circumference Only in the Infant Period.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to retrospectively evaluate and analyze the relationships between head circumference percentile (HCP), lumbar puncture pressure (LPP), and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) space.

METHODS: The 88 patients were divided into 3 age groups (group 1, up to 12 months; group 2, 12-36 months; group 3, 36-72 months).

RESULTS: In group 1 (n = 40), there was a significant positive correlation of the HCP with the LPP (r =0.414, p =0.008), Evans ratio (r =0.365, p =0.021), and thickness of subdural hygroma (SDHG; r =0.403, p =0.010). Group 2 (n = 29) revealed a significant positive correlation between the LPP and the thickness of SDHG (r =0.459, p =0.012). Group 3 (n = 19) showed no significant correlation among these factors. Overall, age was related with SDHG thickness both in infants and toddlers, while HCP was related with LPP, Evans ratio, and SDHG thickness only in infants, and LPP was related with SDHG thickness only in toddlers.

CONCLUSION: We suggest that increased cerebrospinal space and pressure may result in compensatory enlargement of head circumference only in the infant period, and the SDHG thickness decreases with age during the infant and toddler phases.