Shunt implantation in a special sub-group of post-traumatic hydrocephalus--patients have normal intracranial pressure without clinical representations of hydrocephalus

Post-traumatic hydrocephalus: An overview of classification, diagnosis, treatment, and post-treatment imaging evaluation

The syndrome of post-traumatic hydrocephalus (PTH) has been recognized since Dandy's report in 1914. The pathogenesis of PTH has not been fully clarified. At present, it is believed that the obstacles of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) secretion, absorption and circulation pathways are the reasons for the development of PTH. However, recent studies have also suggested that the osmotic pressure load of CSF and the pathological changes of CSF dynamics are caused by the development of hydrocephalus. Therefore, a better understanding of the definition, classification, diagnostic criteria, treatment, and evaluation of post-treatment effects of PTH is critical for the effective prevention and treatment of PTH. In this paper, we reviewed the classification and diagnosis of PTH and focused on the treatment and the imaging evaluation of post-treatment effects of PTH. This review might provide a judgment criterion for diagnosis of PTH and a basis for the effective prevention and treatment of PTH in the future.

The Outcome of Neurorehabilitation Efficacy and Management of Traumatic Brain Injury

For public health professionals, traumatic brain injury (TBI) and its possible protracted repercussions are a significant source of worry. In opposed to patient neurorehabilitation with developed brain abnormalities of different etiologies, neurorehabilitation of affected persons has several distinct features. The clinical repercussions of the various types of TBI injuries will be discussed in detail in this paper. During severe TBI, the medical course frequently follows a familiar first sequence of coma, accompanied by disordered awareness, followed by agitation and forgetfulness, followed by return of function. Clinicians must be aware of common medical issues that might occur throughout the various stages of neurorehabilitation, for example, posttraumatic hydrocephalus, paroxysmal sympathetic hyperactivity and posttraumatic neuroendocrine disorders, at each step of the process. Furthermore, we address problems about the scheduling of various rehabilitation programs as well as the availability of current data for comprehensive rehabilitative neuropsychology techniques.

From Shunt to Recovery: A Multidisciplinary Approach to Hydrocephalus Treatment in Severe Acquired Brain Injury Rehabilitation

Background: Hydrocephalus among Severe Acquired Brain Injury (SABI) patients remains overlooked during rehabilitation. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was carried out of traumatic and non-traumatic SABI patients with hydrocephalus, consecutively admitted over 9 years in a tertiary referral specialized rehabilitation hospital. Patients were treated with ventriculoperitoneal shunt before or during inpatient rehabilitation and assessed using the Level of Cognitive Functioning Scale and Disability Rating Scale. Logistic regression models were used to identify predictors of post-surgical complications. Linear regression models were used to investigate predictors of hospital length of stay (LOS), disability, and cognitive function. Results: Of the 82 patients, 15 had post-surgical complications and 16 underwent cranioplasty. Shunt placement complication risk was higher when fixed vs. when programmable pressure valves were used. A total of 56.3% achieved functional improvement at discharge and 88.7% improved in cognitive function; of the 82 patients, 56% were discharged home. In multiple regression analyses, higher disability at discharge was related to cranioplasty and longer LOS, while poorer cognitive function was associated with cranioplasty. Increase in LOS was associated with increasing time to shunt and decreasing age. Conclusions: A significant improvement in cognitive and functional outcomes can be achieved. Cranioplasty increased LOS, and fixed pressure valves were related to poorer outcomes.

Post Traumatic Hydrocephalus: Incidence, Pathophysiology and Outcomes

Background

Post-traumatic hydrocephalus (PTH) is a sequel of traumatic brain injury (TBI) that is seen more often in patients undergoing decompressive craniectomy (DC). It is associated with prolonged hospital stay and unfavorable outcomes.

Objective

To study the incidence and risk factors for development of PTH in patients undergoing DC in our institution and to review the literature on PTH with respect to incidence, risk factors, pathophysiology, and outcomes of management.

Methods

Data from 95 patients (among 220 patients who underwent DC for TBI and fulfilled the inclusion criteria) over a 5-year period at Christian Medical College, Vellore were collected and analyzed to study the incidence and possible risk factors for development of PTH. A review of the literature on PTH was performed by searching PUBMED resources.

Results

Thirty (31.6%) out of 95 patients developed post-traumatic ventriculomegaly, of whom seven (7.3%) developed symptomatic PTH, necessitating placement of ventriculoperitoneal shunt (VPS). No risk factor for development of PTH could be identified. The reported incidence of PTH in the literature is from 0.07% to 29%, with patients undergoing DC having a higher incidence. Younger age, subarachnoid hemorrhage, severity of TBI, presence of subdural hygroma, and delayed cranioplasty after DC are the main risk factors reported in the literature.

Conclusions

PTH occurs in a significant proportion of patients with TBI and can lead to unfavorable outcomes. PTH has to be distinguished from asymptomatic ventriculomegaly as early as possible so that a CSF diversion procedure can be planned early during development of PTH.

Post-traumatic hydrocephalus - incidence, risk factors, treatment, and clinical outcome

OBJECTIVES

Post-traumatic hydrocephalus (PTH) is well-known after traumatic brain injury (TBI), but there is limited evidence regarding patient selection for ventriculo-peritoneal (VP)-shunt treatment. In this study, we investigated the incidence and risk factors for PTH and the indication for and outcome after shunt treatment.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In this retrospective study, 836 TBI patients, treated at our neurointensive care (NIC) unit at Uppsala university hospital, Sweden, between 2008 and 2018, were included. Demography, admission status, radiology, treatments, and outcome variables were evaluated.

RESULTS

Post-traumatic ventriculomegaly occurred in 46% of all patients at NIC discharge. Twenty-nine (3.5%) patients received a VP-shunt. Lower GCS M at admission, greater amount of subarachnoid hemorrhage, meningitis, decompressive craniectomy (DC), and ventriculomegaly at NIC discharge were risk factors for receiving a VP-shunt. Fourteen of the PTH patients showed impeded recovery or low-pressure hydrocephalus symptoms, of whom 13 experienced subjective clinical improvement after shunt treatment. Five PTH patients showed deterioration in consciousness, of whom four improved following shunt treatment. Five DC patients received a shunt due to subdural hygromas (n =2) or external brain herniation (n = 3), of whom two patients improved following treatment. Five patients were vegetative with concurrent ventriculomegaly and these patients did not have any positive shunt response. Altogether, 19 (66%) PTH patients improved after shunt surgery.

CONCLUSION

Post-traumatic ventriculomegaly was common, but few developed symptomatic PTH and received a VP-shunt. Patients with low-pressure hydrocephalus symptoms had the best shunt response, whereas patients with suspected vegetative state exhibited a minimal shunt response.

Neurorehabilitation of Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI): A Clinical Review

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) and its potential long-term consequences are of major concern for public health. Neurorehabilitation of affected individuals has some specific characteristics in contrast to neurorehabilitation of patients with acquired brain lesions of other aetiology. This review will deal with the clinical consequences of the distinct lesions of TBI. In severe TBI, clinical course often follows a typical initial sequence of coma; followed by disturbed consciousness; later, post-traumatic agitation and amnesia; and finally, recovery of function occurs. In the different phases of neurorehabilitation, physicians should be aware of typical medical complications such as paroxysmal sympathetic hyperactivity, posttraumatic hydrocephalus, and posttraumatic neuroendocrine dysfunctions. Furthermore, we address questions on timing and on existing evidence for different rehabilitation programmes and for holistic neuropsychological rehabilitation approaches.

Impact of timing of ventriculoperitoneal shunt placement on outcome in posttraumatic hydrocephalus

OBJECTIVE

Posttraumatic hydrocephalus (PTH) is a frequent sequela of traumatic brain injury (TBI) and complication of related cranial surgery. The roles of PTH and the timing of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) shunt placement in TBI outcome have not been well described. The goal of this study was to assess the impact of hydrocephalus and timing of ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt placement on outcome during inpatient rehabilitation after TBI.

METHODS

In this cohort study, all TBI patients admitted to Craig Hospital between 2009 and 2013 were evaluated for PTH, defined as ventriculomegaly, and hydrocephalus symptoms, delayed or deteriorating recovery, or elevated opening pressure on lumbar puncture. Extent of ventriculomegaly was quantified by the Evans index from CT scans. Outcome measures were emergence from and duration of posttraumatic amnesia (PTA) and functional status as assessed by means of the Functional Independence Measure (FIM). Findings in this group were compared to findings in a group of TBI patients without PTH (controls) who were admitted for inpatient rehabilitation during the same study period and met specific criteria for inclusion.

RESULTS

A total of 701 patients were admitted with TBI during the study period. Of these patients, 59 (8%) were diagnosed with PTH and were included in this study as the PTH group, and 204 who were admitted for rehabilitation and met the criteria for inclusion as controls constituted the comparison group (no-PTH group). PTH was associated with initial postinjury failure to follow commands, midline shift or cistern compression, subcortical contusion, and craniotomy or craniectomy. In multivariable analyses, independent predictors of longer PTA duration and lower FIM score at rehabilitation discharge were PTH, emergency department Glasgow Coma Scale motor score < 6, and longer time from injury to rehabilitation admission. PTH accounted for a 51-day increase in PTA duration and a 29-point reduction in discharge FIM score. In 40% of PTH patients with preshunt CT brain imaging analyzed, ventriculomegaly (Evans index > 0.3) was observed 3 or more days before VP shunt placement (median 10 days, range 3-102 days). Among PTH patients who received a VP shunt, earlier placement was associated with better outcome by all measures assessed and independently predicted better FIM total score and shorter PTA duration.

CONCLUSIONS

Posttraumatic hydrocephalus predicts worse outcome during inpatient rehabilitation, with poorer functional outcomes and longer duration of PTA. In shunt-treated PTH patients, earlier CSF shunting predicted improved recovery. These results suggest that clinical vigilance for PTH onset and additional studies on timing of CSF diversion are warranted.

Revisiting secondary normal pressure hydrocephalus: does it exist? A review

OBJECTIVE There are several etiologies that can lead to the development of secondary normal pressure hydrocephalus (sNPH). The aim of this study was to evaluate the etiology, diagnosis, treatment, and outcome in patients with sNPH and to highlight important differences between the separate etiologies. METHODS A comprehensive review of the literature was performed to identify studies conducted between 1965 and 2015 that included data regarding the etiology, treatment, diagnosis, and outcome in patients with sNPH. Sixty-four studies with a total of 1309 patients were included. The inclusion criteria of this study were articles that were written in English, included more than 2 patients with the diagnosis of sNPH, and contained data regarding the etiology, diagnosis, treatment, or outcome of NPH. The most common assessment of clinical improvement was based on the Stein and Langfitt grading scale or equivalent improvement on other alternative ordinal grading scales. RESULTS The main etiologies of sNPH were subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) in 46.5%, head trauma in 29%, intracranial malignancies in 6.2%, meningoencephalitis in 5%, and cerebrovascular disease in 4.5% of patients. In 71.9% of patients the sNPH was treated with ventriculoperitoneal shunt placement, and 24.4% had placement of a ventriculoatrial shunt. Clinical improvement after shunt placement was reported in 74.4% and excellent clinical improvement in 58% of patients with sNPH. The mean follow-up period after shunt placement was 13 months. Improvement was seen in 84.2% of patients with SAH, 83% of patients with head trauma, 86.4% of patients with brain tumors, 75% of patients with meningoencephalitis, and 64.7% of patients with NPH secondary to stroke. CONCLUSIONS Secondary NPH encompasses a diverse group of clinical manifestations associated with a subset of patients with acquired hydrocephalus. The most common etiologies of sNPH include SAH and traumatic brain injury. Secondary NPH does indeed exist, and should be differentiated from idiopathic NPH based on outcome and on clinical, pathophysiological, and epidemiological characteristics, but should not be considered as a separate entity.

Posttraumatic Hydrocephalus as a Confounding Influence on Brain Injury Rehabilitation: Incidence, Clinical Characteristics, and Outcomes

OBJECTIVE

To describe incidence, clinical characteristics, complications, and outcomes in posttraumatic hydrocephalus (PTH) after traumatic brain injury (TBI) for patients treated in an inpatient rehabilitation program.

DESIGN

Cohort study with retrospective comparative analysis.

SETTING

Inpatient rehabilitation hospital.

PARTICIPANTS

All patients admitted for TBI from 2009 to 2013 diagnosed with PTH (N=59), defined as ventriculomegaly, delayed clinical recovery discordant with injury severity, hydrocephalus symptoms, or positive lumbar puncture results.

INTERVENTIONS

None.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Primary measures were incidence of PTH and patient and injury characteristics. Secondary measures included frequency and timing of ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt, related complications, emergence from and duration of posttraumatic amnesia (PTA), Rancho Los Amigos Scale (RLAS) score, and FIM score at rehabilitation admission and discharge.

RESULTS

Of 701 patients with TBI admitted, 59 (8%) were diagnosed with PTH. Of these, the median age was 25 years, with 73% being men. At initial presentation, 52 (88%) did not follow commands. Fifty-two (90%) patients with PTH had a VP shunt placed. Median time from injury to shunt placement was 69 (range, 9-366) days. Seven (12%) patients with PTH experienced postsurgical seizure, 3 (6%) had shunt infection, and 7 (12%) had shunt malfunction. Thirty-six (61%) patients with PTH emerged from PTA during rehabilitation. Median total FIM score at rehabilitation admission was 20 (range, 18-76), and at discharge it was 43 (range, 18-118). Injury severity predicted outcome at rehabilitation admission, whereas shunt timing predicted outcome at rehabilitation discharge.

CONCLUSIONS

Incidence of PTH was observed in 8% of patients with TBI in inpatient rehabilitation. Earlier shunting predicted improved outcome during rehabilitation. Future studies should prospectively examine clinical decision rules, type, and timing of intervention and the coeffectiveness of rehabilitation treatment on outcomes.