[Post-traumatic hydrocephalus].

Abstract

Post-traumatic hydrocephalus is a complication of cranio-cerebral injuries and can manifest itself through different clinical syndromes. These include obtunding, a tetrad composed of psychomotory delay, memory loss, motility disturbances and sphincter incompetence, and unusual symptoms which comprehend emotional disturbances. Intracranial pressure monitoring, lombo-ventricular infusion test, in addition to neuroradiologic exams, are necessary in order to decide wether or not to derivate a post-traumatic hydrocephalus; neuropsychologic tests complete these investigational methods. The post-traumatic hydrocephalus bearer patient's recovery is always problematic when an important parenchimal damage exists. When a NPH (normal pressure hydrocephalus) is found the shunting operation is always indicated. However it is difficult to take a decision when the patient has a normal liquoral pressure but is too wounded to show a NPH or when he has an atypical clinical feature.