Hydrocephalus after decompressive craniotomy: a case series.

BACKGROUND

Post-craniectomy hydrocephalus in patients with intracranial hypertension is becoming a major concern for neurosurgeons because of the increasing number of hospital admissions for head trauma, stroke and other lesions which may lead to severe brain oedema requiring decompressive craniectomy.

METHODS

We collected records of all the paediatric patients who developed hydrocephalus following decompressive craniotomy from October 2011 to October 2013 and analysed their clinical profiles.

RESULTS

We had 3 patients in this group, ranging in age from 6 to 18 years; 1 patient died and the other 2 patients continue to remain in follow-up.

CONCLUSION

Post-traumatic hydrocephalus is one of the rare complications of decompressive craniotomy; CSF diversion remains the only option for improvement in neurological status.