title: Predictors of shunt-dependent chronic hydrocephalus after aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Chronic hydrocephalus is a common complication that can occur after aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH). The purpose of this study was to investigate clinical risk factors that could predict the occurrence of shunt-dependent chronic hydrocephalus after aneurysmal SAH.
  
  
  METHODS
  Eighty-eight consecutive patients who underwent either surgery or transarterial endovascular embolization as a treatment for cerebral aneurysm within 72 h -after experiencing SAH from March 2005 to July 2006 were studied retrospectively to assess the risk factors that might predict shunt-dependent chronic hydrocephalus. Clinical and demographic factors were examined, including age, sex, initial admission mean arterial blood pressure (MABP), blood sugar level at admission, fever frequency, initial external ventricular drainage (EVD), Fisher grade, Hunt and Hess grade, intraventricular haemorrhage (IVH) and treatment methods to define predictors of shunt-dependent hydrocephalus. The length of hospital stay and modified Rankin scale recorded 6 months after SAH were also evaluated; these parameters were compared between the shunt-dependent and non-shunt-dependent groups.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the 88 patients, 22 (25%) underwent shunt placement to treat their chronic hydrocephalus. The average length of hospital stay was 33.9 days for the shunt-treated group and 14 days for the non-shunt-treated group. The non-shunt-treated group scored an average of 1.05 on the modified Rankin scale compared with 2.77 for the shunt-treated group. A univariate analysis revealed that several admission variables were associated with long-term shunt-dependent hydrocephalus: (1) increased age (p = 0.023); (2) initial admission MABP (p = 0.027); (3) a high Fisher grade (p = 0.031); (4) a poor admission Hunt and Hess grade (p = 0.030); (5) the presence of IVH (p = 0.029), and (6) initial EVD (p < 0.0001). The factor most commonly associated with shunt-dependent hydrocephalus over the course of hospital days was fever frequency (p < 0.0001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Chronic hydrocephalus after aneurysmal SAH has a multifactorial aetiology. Understanding the risk factors that predict the occurrence of chronic hydrocephalus may help neurosurgeons to expedite permanent cerebrospinal fluid diversion, which could decrease both the cost and length of hospital stay and prevent further complications.
authors: Department of Neurosurgery, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Keelung, Taiwan, ROC. jade5048 @ yahoo.com.tw
authors: Tao-Chieh
authors: TC
authors: Yang
authors: Chien Hung
authors: CH
authors: Chang
authors: Yu-Tse
authors: YT
authors: Liu
authors: Yao-Liang
authors: YL
authors: Chen
authors: Po-Hsun
authors: PH
authors: Tu
authors: Hsien-Chih
authors: HC
authors: Chen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002557:Cerebrospinal Fluid Shunts / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005334:Fever / Q000209:etiology; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D006849:Hydrocephalus / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013345:Subarachnoid Hemorrhage / Q000150:complications; D017585:Ultrasonography, Doppler, Transcranial / Q000379:methods