title: Vertebrobasilar Dolichoectasia Induced Hydrocephalus: the Water-Hammer Effect.
abstract: Vertebrobasilar dolichoectasia is a clinical entity associated rarely with obstructive hydrocephalus. We present a 48-year old male with a profound dilatation of the ventricular system due to a dolichoectatic basilar artery, as appeared in imaging studies. The patient suffered from longstanding hydrocephalus and presenile dementia. The underlying mechanism for obstructive hydrocephalus due to vertebrobasilar dolichoectasia is considered to be both a water-hammer effect and a direct compression of adjacent structures. We suggest prompt surgical intervention upon diagnosis as a first choice treatment in order to avoid further complications.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Evangelismos Hospital.
authors.forename: Vaso
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Zisimopoulou
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Evangelismos Hospital.
authors.forename: Aikaterini
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ntouniadaki
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Evangelismos Hospital.
authors.forename: Panagiotis
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Aggelidakis
authors.affiliation: Epilepsy Surgery Unit, Department of Neurosurgery, University of Athens, School of Medicine , Evangelismos Hospital, Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Siatouni
authors.affiliation: Epilepsy Surgery Unit, Department of Neurosurgery, University of Athens, School of Medicine , Evangelismos Hospital, Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: Stylianos
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gatzonis
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Evangelismos Hospital.
authors.forename: Antonios
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tavernarakis
keywords: Vertebrobasilar; dolichoectasia; hydrocephalus