Post-traumatic hydrocephalus

Abstract

Hydrocephalus has long been recognized as a common complication of traumatic brain injury and can present acutely due to obstruction of CSF pathways or in a delayed fashion following subarachnoid hemorrhage, meningitis, or other causes of altered CSF hydrodynamics. This condition has taken on greater significance with the widespread use of decompressive craniectomy. Post-traumatic hydrocephalus (accompanied by raised intracranial pressure) must be distinguished from post-traumatic ventriculomegaly in order to ensure appropriate treatment.