title: Etiology and cranial CT scan profile of nontumoral hydrocephalus in a tertiary black African hospital.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Hydrocephalus is a common condition in the pediatric population. The cause of hydrocephalus, Evans ratio, ventricular index, and cerebral mantle thickness are some of the factors associated with poor surgical outcome. This study was conducted to evaluate the profile of these factors in the authors' patient population.
  
  
  METHODS
  The authors conducted a prospective study from the August 1, 2006, to May 30, 2010. The consecutive patients were all 6 years of age or younger. The demographic information, cause of hydrocephalus, and cranial computerized measurements were taken (including widths of the frontal/occipital horns, third ventricle, and cerebral mantle thickness) and entered into the procedural forms.
  
  
  RESULTS
  One hundred thirty-seven patients presented to the unit over the stipulated period. The male/female ratio was 1.1:1. The median age at presentation was 4 months (mean 7.3 months, range 4 days to 6 years). Myelomeningocele-associated hydrocephalus, aqueductal stenosis, and postmeningitic hydrocephalus accounted for 30.7%, 22.6%, and 17.5%, respectively, of the cases. The mean Evans ratio was 0.56 (range 0.43-0.70), the mean ventricular index was 197.18 (range 135.0-245.3), and the mean cerebral mantle was 10.8 mm (10-14 mm).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study shows that the congenital form of hydrocephalus is the predominant variety in the authors' population. Myelomeningocele-associated hydrocephalus, aqueductal stenosis, Dandy-Walker malformation, and postmeningitic hydrocephalus are common causes of hydrocephalus.
authors: Neurosurgery Unit, Department of Surgery, Lagos State University College of Medicine, and Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria. oeidowu412@yahoo.com
authors: Olufemi
authors: O
authors: Idowu
authors: Adebayo
authors: A
authors: Olumide
mesh_terms: D044383:Black People; D002535:Cerebral Aqueduct / Q000002:abnormalities; D002552:Cerebral Ventricles / Q000473:pathology; D014695:Cerebral Ventriculography; D002557:Cerebrospinal Fluid Shunts; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003251:Constriction, Pathologic; D003616:Dandy-Walker Syndrome / Q000150:complications; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006849:Hydrocephalus / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D008581:Meningitis / Q000150:complications; D009549:Nigeria; D011379:Prognosis; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012737:Sex Factors; D012886:Skull / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D020542:Third Ventricle / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014696:Ventriculostomy