Hunt-Hess and Fisher Grades as Predicting Factors for Chronic Hydrocephalus in Surgically Treated Ruptured Aneurysm

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: The popular grading systems in use, such as Hunt-Hess grade and Fisher scale score, are based primarily on the patient's clinical conditions or computerized tomography score after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage(SAH). The author investigated whether the need for ventriculoperitoneal(VP) shunt for chronic hydrocephalus and outcome can be predicted by Hunt-Hess grade and Fisher scale. METHODS: A series of 146 patients admitted to our hospital from August 1991 to July 1999, who presented with SAH and underwent craniotomy for aneurysm clipping were studied retrospectively. Chronic hydrocephalus was defined as clinically and radiographically demonstrated hydrocephalus that lasted 2 weeks or longer after initial hemorrhage which required shunting. Patients were evaluated based on following factors Hunt-Hess grade, Fisher scale, age, sex, hypertension, aneurysm location, and intervals from aneurysm rupture to operation. RESULTS: The overall mortality rate of the study group was 8.2%. Hunt-Hess grade(p=0.001) or Fisher scale (p=0.001) at all pretreatment times was significantly correlated with outcome. In addition, there was an increased risk of poor outcome in older age(650.05). Of 134 surviving patients, 16 patients(12%) underwent VP shunt placement secondary to chronic hydrocephalus. Hunt-Hess grade(p=0.001) is more predictive of chronic hydrocephalus than Fisher scale(p=0.146). Aneurysm location was significantly correlated with development of chronic hydrocephalus (p<0.05), without significant correlations in sex, age, hypertension. IVH, and ICH. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that there is a high clinical correlation between outcome and Hunt-Hess grades and Fisher scales on admission, but Hunt-Hess grade is more predictive for chronic hydrocephalus than Fisher scale. In addition, age(<65 yrs) is the significant factor for prediction of outcome. There was a trend of increasing risk for chronic hydrocephalus according to aneurymal location.