Role of V-P shunt in management of adult communicating high pressure postmeningitic hydrocephalus

ABSTRACT

This article reviews 22 cases of adult communicating high pressure postmeningitic hydrocephalus,treated with ventriculoperitoneal shunt in the period between July, 1992 and June, 1994. The cause of hydrocephalus was basal meningitis with obstruction of the basal cisterns. The causative organisms were tubercule bacilli, meningococcus, pneumococcus, staphylococcus and streptococcus. The interval between the appearance of hydrocephalus and the attack of meningitis ranged between 2 weeks and 4 weeks. Although V-P shunt is a symptomatic treatment for such cases, it is very effective and life saving