Clinical Study on Risk Factors of Hydrocephalus after Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: The authors analyzed the incidence, the cause and the prognosis of hydrocephalus following aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage to evaluate the risk factors of hydrocephalus and to provide the proper treatment method for hydrocephalus following aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage. METHODS: The 505 cases of subarachnoid hemorrhage followed by aneurysmal surgery from January 1990 to May 1999, were divided into shunt group and shunt-free group and we were reviewed for the clinical status, Fisher's grade, brain CT findings and prognosis. RESULTS: The incidence of acute hydrocephalus was 37.2% of patients and 18.9% to developed chronic hydrocephalus. Shunt surgery due to chronic hydrocephalus was required in 6.5% of patients. We found following variables were significantly related to shunt-dependent hydrocephalus high Hunt-Hess and Fisher grade, initial CT findings of intraventricular hemorrahge, posterior circulation aneurysm, preoperative rebleeding, delayed ischemic deficits, and initial high ventricular size index. There were no statistically significant relationships between shunt-dependent hydrocephalus and patient age or sex, timing of operation. The previous hypertension was not related to shunt dependent hydrocephalus. Prognosis in shunt group showed poor result. CONCLUSION: The risk factors of hydrocephalus following aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage are high Hunt-Hess grade, high Fisher's grade, aneurysms of posterior circulations, preoperative aneurysmal rebleeding, delayed ischemic deficits, initial CT findings of intraventricular hemorrahge and initially increased ventricular size. The patients with these factors should the carefully observed and managed accordingly due to poor prognosis related to hydrocephalus requiring shunt operation.