Rapid neurological deterioration associated with minor head trauma in chronic hydrocephalus.
METHODS
An 8-year-old developmentally normal boy (status: post third ventriculostomy and resection of posterior fossa low-grade glioma 4 years earlier and with known history of ventriculomegaly/arrested hydrocephalus) presented to the emergency room with vomiting and lethargy after a minor head trauma. Computed tomography scan of the head revealed no acute changes since previous studies. However, the patient's neurological status rapidly declined in the emergency room, where an emergency ventriculostomy demonstrated increased intracranial pressure. The patient's clinical condition improved over 24 h: he underwent placement of a ventriculoperitoneal shunt without complications and was discharged intact.


CONCLUSIONS
The pathogenesis of rapid neurological decline associated with minor head trauma in chronic hydrocephalus is reviewed.
Dickerman
Rob D
RD
Department of Neurosurgery, North Shore University--Long Island Jewish Health System, New Hyde Park, NY 11042, USA. drrdd@yahoo.com
McConathy
Walter J
WJ
Lustrin
Elizabeth
E
Schneider
Steven J
SJ
D002648:Child; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005910:Glioma / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery; D016489:Head Injuries, Closed / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006261:Headache / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D006849:Hydrocephalus / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D015192:Infratentorial Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery; D019586:Intracranial Hypertension / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D009460:Neurologic Examination; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D017287:Ventriculoperitoneal Shunt; D014696:Ventriculostomy; D014839:Vomiting / Q000209:etiology