Kaohsiung J Med Sci
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Kaohsiung J Med Sci · Mar 1999
Acute hydrocephalus and chronic hydrocephalus with the need of postoperative shunting after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage.
During a 6-year period, 168 consecutive patients who presented with subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) and underwent surgical clipping of aneurysms were reviewed at a follow-up examination from 6 to 77 months (mean 38 months) after the ictus. Acute hydrocephalus was defined when the bicaudate index was greater than the 95th percentile for age on a computed tomographic scan within 72 hours of the hemorrhage. Forty (24%) patients developed acute hydrocephalus. ⋯ Ten of 29 (34%) patients with acute hydrocephalus required definite shunt replacement. However, less than 10% of patients without acute hydrocephalus needed shunting postoperatively. We recommend that patients with aneurysmal SAH should be followed up at least 6 months after the hemorrhage, especially in those patients with high risks of developing chronic hydrocephalus.