Arachnoid Granulations Research Articles

Reader response: Idiopathic intracranial hypertension: The veno glymphatic connections.

We read the interesting idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) pathogenetic Medical Hypothesis by Lenck et al.1 We agree that the lymphatic interstitial fluid (ISF)/CSF outflow is increased by intracranial hypertension and may explain part of IIH symptoms. However, the asymptomatic primary impairment of ISF/CSF outflow proposed by the authors—mediated by a putative aquaporin 4 (AQP4) dysfunction at the vascular arachnoid granulation (VAG) interface with the dural sinuses, followed by the secondary sinus stenosis with symptomatic shift—is exceedingly weak and possibly misleading. In fact, the AQP4 glymphatic existence as a convective vs diffusive ISF/CSF outflow route has been very recently questioned.2 ISF/CSF containing intraventricular administered tracers do not drain through venous sinus, as proposed, but through the nasal lymphatics.3 The VAGs are very common in subjects without intracranial vascular pathology,4 whereas IIH is rare. The sinus wall should bear CSF pressure much higher than that possibly associated with an asymptomatic stage of lymphatic dysfunction.5 Finally, after sinus stenting, the intracranial pressure returns to fully physiologic values in responders.6 Therefore, the hypothesis of an asymptomatic primary CSF hypertension by glymphatic impairment leading to a secondary symptomatic sinus stenosis is highly unlikely.

Impaired Peripheral Lymphatic Function and Cerebrospinal Fluid Outflow in a Mouse Model of Alzheimer's Disease.

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) outflow from the brain occurs through absorption into the arachnoid villi and, more predominantly, through meningeal and olfactory lymphatics that ultimately drain into the peripheral lymphatics. Impaired CSF outflow has been postulated as a contributing mechanism in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Herein we conducted near-infrared fluorescence imaging of CSF outflow into the peripheral lymph nodes (LNs) and of peripheral lymphatic function in a transgenic mouse model of AD (5XFAD) and wild-type (WT) littermates. CSF outflow was assessed from change in fluorescence intensity in the submandibular LNs as a function of time following bolus, an intrathecal injection of indocyanine green (ICG). Peripheral lymphatic function was measured by assessing lymphangion contractile function in lymphatics draining into the popliteal LN following intradermal ICG injection in the dorsal aspect of the hind paw. The results show 1) significantly impaired CSF outflow into the submandibular LNs of 5XFAD mice and 2) reduced contractile frequency in the peripheral lymphatics as compared to WT mice. Impaired CSF clearance was also evidenced by reduction of fluorescence on ventral surfaces of extracted brains of 5XFAD mice at euthanasia. These results support the hypothesis that lymphatic congestion caused by reduced peripheral lymphatic function could limit CSF outflow and may contribute to the cause and/or progression of AD.

Initial Results of Using Blood Beta 2 Transferrin as a Marker of the Functional Status of a Shunt

Ventriculoperitoneal shunt is the most common cerebrospinal fluid diversion procedure to treat hydrocephalus. With the change of physiologic cerebrospinal fluid absorption site from arachnoid granulations to the peritoneum, beta 2 transferrin enters the systemic circulation. Therefore, the detection of beta 2 transferrin in the blood can possibly be used as a noninvasive method to assess the functional status of the shunt. The objective of this study was to study the presence of beta 2 transferrin in patients with functional shunts and in shunts suspected of being malfunctional. Blood samples were obtained from a group of 20 patients with functional ventriculoperitoneal shunts, from a control group of 10 age-matched healthy volunteers, and from 8 patients with suspected shunt malfunction (6ventriculoperitoneal, 2 lumboperitoneal). Blood serum beta 2 transferrin levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay with specific anti-beta 2 transferrin antibodies. The mean age in the ventriculoperitoneal shunt group was 36.5 years (range, 24-50 years). The mean age in the control group was 39.5 years (range, 32-48). There was no statistical difference in age between the groups. Beta 2 transferrin levels were 1.99 ± 1.02 ng/mL in the ventriculoperitoneal shunt group and 0.05 ± 0.02 ng/mL in the control group; the statistical difference was strongly significant (P < 0.001). Patients presenting with suspected shunt malfunction had preoperative low beta 2 transferrin levels (0.10 ± 0.12). Postoperatively, their beta 2 transferrin levels increased to 1.75 ± 0.46 ng/mL, and the difference was statistically significant (P= 0.012). Blood beta 2 transferrin can be used as a noninvasive test to assess the functional status of a shunt.

Safety and efficacy of intravascular ultrasound as an adjunct to stenting for cerebral venous sinus stenosis-induced idiopathic intracranial hypertension: a pilot study.

Symptomatic intracranial hypertension can be caused by cerebral venous sinus stenosis (CVSS) and cerebral venous sinus thrombotic (CVST) stenosis, which is usually found in some patients with idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH). Recently, at the authors' center, they utilized intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) as an adjunct to conventional venoplasty or stenting to facilitate diagnosis and accurate stent placement in CVSS. The authors designed a retrospective review of their prospective database of patients who underwent IVUS-guided venous sinus stenting between April 2016 and February 2017. Clinical, radiological, and ophthalmological information was recorded and analyzed. IVUS was performed in 12 patients with IIH (9 with nonthrombotic CVSS, 3 with secondary stenosis combined with CVST) during venoplasty through venous access. The IVUS catheter was used from a proximal location to the site of stenosis. Post-stenting follow-up, including symptomatic improvement, stent patency, and adjacent-site stenosis, was assessed at 1 year. Thirteen stenotic cerebral sinuses in 12 patients were corrected using IVUS-guided stenting. No technical or neurological complications were encountered. The IVUS images were excellent for the diagnosis of the stenosis, and intraluminal thrombi were clearly visualized by using IVUS in 3 (25%) of the 12 patients. A giant arachnoid granulation was demonstrated in 1 (8.3%) of the 12 patients. Intravenous compartments or septations (2 of 12, 16.7%) and vessel wall thickening (6 of 12, 50%) were also noted. At 1-year follow-up, 10 of 12 patients were clinically symptom-free in our series. IVUS is a promising tool with the potential to improve the diagnostic accuracy in IIH, aiding in identification of the types of intracranial venous stenosis, assisting in stent selection, and guiding stent placement. Further study of the utility of IVUS in venous stenting and venous stenosis pathology is warranted.

Cranial vault unicameral bone cyst

Introduction: Unicameral bone cysts (UBC), also known as simple bone cysts, are common benign bone lesions filled with fluid, primarily occurring in children and adolescents. Although they can develop in any bone, UBCs usually affect the long bones.Materials & Methods: A 53 year old male patient was found incidentally to have a calvarian lesion in the parietal region overlying the superior sagittal sinus (SSS) (Figure 1). The differential diagnosis included a large arachnoid granulation, haemangioma of bone, a giant cell tumour or tuberculous infection. The patient was planned for elective surgery to remove the lesion and establish the diagnosis. Surgery was uneventful.Conclusion: To the best of our knowledge we describe the first case of UBC affecting the cranial vault. The patient underwent surgery.

Anatomical characterization of the inferior petrosal sinus and adjacent cerebellopontine angle cistern for development of an endovascular transdural cerebrospinal fluid shunt

Background and purposeWe evaluated the inferior petrosal sinus (IPS) and adjacent cerebellopontine angle (CPA) cistern as a potential implantation site for a novel venous endovascular transdural CSF shunt concept to...

Emergency Caesarean Section and Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension: Case Report

We report a case of a 29-year-old pregnant patient: gravida3, para 3, abortus 0, 38 weeks . Her medical history included an idiopathic intracranial hypertension since 2014 with visual repercussions, without obstetric consequences treated with Acetazolamide 250 mg 1 tablet per day. Caesarean section was indicated for fetal distress. The context was urgent (fetal detress), and the anesthesiologist faced a dilemma of the choice of the anesthetic technique: spinal anesthesia or general anesthesia. Finally, a spinal anesthesia was performed by an expert without incidents. A healthy baby was delivered (Apgar score was 9/10). Idiopathic intracranial hypertension IIH is linked to a lack of absorption of cerebro-spinal fluid (CSF) in arachnoid granulations. Outside pregnancy the risk factors of IIH which have been evoked are polycystic ovary syndromes and blood coagulation anomalies as thrombophilia or. Even though the visual prognosis is compromised, there is no risk of engagement that would be life-threatening.

Neurodegenerative Dementias: Improving Brain Health to Decrease Risk.

Neurodegenerative Dementias: Improving Brain Health to Decrease Risk.

Idiopathic intracranial hypertension: The veno glymphatic connections.

The recent discoveries of the glymphatic and lymphatic systems of the brain have helped advance our understanding of CSF physiology and may allow new insights in the understanding of idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH). The clinical and radiologic presentations of IIH appear to be related to congestion of the glymphatic system associated with an overflow of the lymphatic CSF outflow pathway. By revisiting the role of "vascular arachnoid granulations" in the brain, we hypothesize that an initial impairment of the transport of interstitial fluid from the glymphatic system to the venous blood of the dural sinuses may trigger the hydrodynamic cascade of IIH. Furthermore, we speculate that, similar to other water-exchange systems in the brain, a specific subtype of aquaporin is involved in this transport. This theory may eventually help to provide an underlying explanation for IIH and its associated conditions, since in most of them, the expression of several aquaporins is altered.

Association Between Possible Osteoporosis and Shunt-Dependent Hydrocephalus After Subarachnoid Hemorrhage.

Background and Purpose- Pathological obstruction in arachnoid granulations after subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) can impede cerebrospinal fluid flow outward to the venous sinus and causing hydrocephalus. Because bone and arachnoid granulations share the same collagen type, we evaluated the possible relation between bone mineral density and shunt-dependent hydrocephalus after SAH. Methods- We measured Hounsfield units of the frontal skull on admission brain computed tomography in patients with SAH. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was performed to determine the optimal cutoff Hounsfield unit in skull to predict osteopenia and osteoporosis in a large sample registry. According to the optimal cutoff skull Hounsfield unit values, study patients were then categorized as hypothetical normal, osteopenia, and osteoporosis. Odds ratios were estimated using logistic regression to determine whether the osteoporotic conditions are independent predictive factors for the development of shunt-dependent hydrocephalus after clipping for SAH. Results- A total of 447 patients (alive ≥14 days) with ruptured aneurysm SAH who underwent surgical clipping were retrospectively enrolled in this study during a 9-year period from 2 hospitals. We found that hypothetical osteoporosis was an independent predictor for shunt-dependent hydrocephalus after aneurysmal clipping for SAH after full adjustment for other predictive factors, including age (odds ratio, 2.08; 95% confidence interval, 1.06-4.08; P=0.032). Conclusions- Our study demonstrates a possible relation between possible osteoporosis and hydrocephalus after SAH. Hounsfield unit measurement on admission brain computed tomography may be helpful for predicting hydrocephalus during the clinical course of SAH in patients with osteoporosis or suspected osteoporosis.

Brain herniation into the transverse sinuses' arachnoid granulations in the pediatric population investigated with 3T MRI.

We aimed to evaluate the frequency, radiological-clinical findings of brain herniation into arachnoid granulation (BHAG) in pediatric age group using 3T magnetic resonance imaging. Patients were under 18 years of age and underwent brain MRI examination which consists of 3D T1, 3D T2 FLAIR and 3D T2 sequences. A total of 2320 patients were enrolled in the study. All cases of AG into transverse sinus were included. The location of the AG, the deep, transverse, vertical and neck diameters and volume of AG were recorded. Clinical findings and imaging findings of patients were also recorded. The patients were categorized as BHAG and AG without brain herniation (AGWBH). The mean diameters (deep, transverse, vertical and neck) of AG, volume of AG, age, sex, clinical findings and imaging findings were evaluated and compared in each group. 135 patients (71 female, 64 male) had AG in a total of 2320 patients (prevalence 5.81%). Fifteen patients (10.7% of all patients, 11 female, 4 male) had BHAG. The mean diameters (deep, transverse, vertical and neck) and volume of AGWBH were 5.23 ± 1.91, 4.07 ± 1.58, 4.99 ± 1.68, 3.64 ± 1.84mm and 85.05 ± 89.10mm3, respectively. The mean diameters (deep, transverse, vertical and neck) and volume of BHAG were 7.46 ± 2.6, 6.85 ± 2.34, 8.32 ± 2.35, 5.41 ± 1.79mm and 331 ± 361.26mm3, respectively. The mean diameters and volume of BHAG were significantly larger than AGWBH (p < 0.001 for all parameters). There was no significant difference related to clinical and imaging findings between groups (p > 0.05). Brain herniation into arachnoid granulation is seen in pediatric age group as frequently as adults. Its frequency is not related to age. It is not significantly associated with neurological symptoms. As the AG size increases, the risk of BHAG increases.

Clearance of Amyloid Beta and Tau in Alzheimer’s Disease: from Mechanisms to Therapy

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common neurodegenerative disease. Pathological proteins of AD mainly contain amyloid-beta (Aβ) and tau. Their deposition will lead to neuron damage by a series of pathways, and then induce memory and cognitive impairment. Thus, it is pivotal to understand the clearance pathways of Aβ and tau in order to delay or even halt AD. Aβ clearance mechanisms include ubiquitin-proteasome system, autophagy-lysosome, proteases, microglial phagocytosis, and transport from the brain to the blood via the blood-brain barrier (BBB), arachnoid villi and blood-CSF barrier, which can be named blood circulatory clearance. Recently, lymphatic clearance has been demonstrated to play a key role in transport of Aβ into cervical lymph nodes. The discovery of meningeal lymphatic vessels is another direct evidence for lymphatic clearance in the brain. Furthermore, periphery clearance also contributes to Aβ clearance. Tau clearance is almost the same as Aβ clearance. In this review, we will mainly introduce the clearance mechanisms of Aβ and tau proteins, and summarize corresponding targeted drug therapies for AD.

Serum proteins in human CSF increase due to decreasing CSF flow rate and leave with CSF primarily via Arachnoid villi and nerve roots. Biophysical facts and physiological plausibilities

Serum proteins in human CSF increase due to decreasing CSF flow rate and leave with CSF primarily via Arachnoid villi and nerve roots. Biophysical facts and physiological plausibilities

Whole-Body Low-Dose Computed Tomography (WBLDCT) in Assessment of Patients with Multiple Myeloma - Pilot Study and Standard Imaging Protocol Suggestion.

SummaryBackgroundFor decades, the main imaging tool in multiple myeloma (MM) patients was plain radiography. However, computed tomography (CT) has been included in the updated criteria of MM. The main disadvantage of CT is a considerably high radiation dose. Therefore, low-dose CT protocols could be a solution. The aim of the study was to (1) preliminarily analyse the usefulness of Whole-Body Low-Dose CT (WBLDCT) in the evaluation of patients with MM and (2) to make adjustments in the standard CT imaging protocol.Material/MethodsIn 41 patients with MM, WBLDCT was performed. The following parameters were used: detector configuration – 80×0.5 mm, scanning range in a single spiral acquisition from the skull to the proximal femoral bones, tube voltage – 120 kVp, current tube time product – 86 mAs, slice thickness 1 mm. Two sets of axial images were reconstructed for bone and soft tissue assessment, respectively. Secondary coronal and sagittal reconstructions were generated. Typical MM features were analysed and qualitatively compared with radiography results.ResultsA potentially increased sensitivity of CT, as compared to radiography, in detecting lytic foci obscured by other structures or with a small degree of destruction was seen. A potentially increased specificity of CT was found in detecting cases of small foci suspicious of lytic lesions on skull radiographs, seen as arachnoid granulations fovea in CT. The following radiation parameters were recorded: max. CTDIvol – 7.4 mGy and DLP – 660–810 mGy×cm. WBLDCT was much shorter and more convenient to patients.ConclusionsWBLDCT may become a valuable part of the assessment of MM features at a much lower radiation dose compared to standard CT protocols. It has a potential ability to increase diagnostic accuracy compared to radiography.

80 Cytological Features of Fine Needle Aspiration of Meningioma on ThinPrep

Meningiomas represent the most common primary brain tumors arising from the arachnoid villi and can pose a diagnostic challenge in unusual locations. Several studies have described the cytologic features of meningioma on conventional smears (CSs), including whorling pattern, intranuclear grooves and pseudoinclusions, and delicate cytoplasmic extensions. However, little is known of the cytomorphologic features of a meningioma on liquid-based preparations (LBPs). Here, we describe our findings of fine needle aspiration (FNA) of extracranial meningioma on, both CS and ThinPrep (TP) LBP. An 84-year-old woman presented with a year-long, firm 6.5 cm right sphenotemporal mass with imaging showing extension into surrounding tissues. An FNA of the mass was performed and processed as one air-dried Diff-Quik (DQ)-stained and one alcohol-fixed Pap-stained CS. Residual specimen collected in CytoLyt (TP preservative medium, Hologic, Boxborough, MA) was processed as one Pap-stained TP and one hematoxylin and eosin-stained cell block (CB) slide. The DQ smear showed high tumor cellularity with syncytia and whorls. Cells demonstrated characteristic hyperchromatic nuclei, abundant pale cytoplasm, and terminal wispy extensions. Pap stain showed prominent intranuclear grooves (ING), pseudoinclusions (INI), coarse chromatin, and distinct nucleoli. In comparison, TP showed adequate cellularity despite being processed from residual specimen. Tumor cells were arranged in cohesive three-dimensional clusters with prominent whorls. The cytoplasm ranged from dense to wispy, the latter similar to CS. Nuclear features including ING, INI, coarse chromatin, and nucleoli were preserved. Features on CB were similar. On TP, although cytoplasmic differences were noted, we observed similar architectural and nuclear features of the meningioma seen on the CS. Moreover, residual material was adequate with excellent preservation of cells on TP. Thus, LBPs, such as ThinPrep, can be very valuable in aiding with the diagnosis of meningioma.

Fluid structure interaction model analysis of cerebrospinal fluid circulation in patients with continuous-flow left ventricular assist devices.

The current 1-dimensional fluid structure interaction model (FSI) for understanding cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) circulation requires pulsatility as a precondition and has not been applied to patients with continuous-flow left ventricular assist devices (CF-LVAD) where pulsatility is chronically reduced. Our study aims to characterize the behavior of CSF pressure and flow in patients with CF-LVADs using a computational FSI model. Utilizing the computational FSI model, CSF production in choroid plexuses of the 4 ventricles was specified as a boundary condition for the model. The other source of production from capillary ultrafiltrate spaces was accounted for by the mass conservation equation. The primary CSF absorption sites (i.e., arachnoid granulations) were treated as the outlet boundary conditions. We established a low pulse wave to represent patients with a CF-LVAD. From the model, low pulse conditions resulted in a reduction in CSF pressure amplitude and velocity though the overall flow rate was unchanged. The existing FSI model is not a suitable representation of CSF flow in CF-LVAD patients. More studies are needed to elucidate the role of pulsatility in CSF flow and the compensatory changes in CSF production and absorption that occur in patients with CF-LVADs in whom pulsatility is diminished.

Quantifying response to intracranial pressure normalization in idiopathic intracranial hypertension via dynamic neuroimaging.

Idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) is characterized by elevated intracranial pressure without a clear cause. To investigate dynamic imaging findings in IIH and their relation to mechanisms underlying intracranial pressure normalization. Prospective. Eighteen IIH patients and 30 healthy controls. T1 -weighted, venography, fluid attenuation inversion recovery, and apparent diffusion coefficients were acquired on 1.5T scanner. The dural sinus was measured before and after lumbar puncture (LP). The degree of sinus occlusion was evaluated, based on 95% confidence intervals of controls. We studied a number of neuroimaging biomarkers associated with IIH (sinus occlusion; optic nerve; distribution of cerebrospinal fluid into the subarachnoid space, sulci and lateral ventricles (LVs); Meckel's caves; arachnoid granulation; pituitary and choroid plexus), before and after LP, using a set of specially developed quantification techniques. Relationships among various biomarkers were investigated (Pearson correlation coefficient) and linked to long-term disease outcomes (logistic regression). The t-test and the Wilcoxon rank test were used to compare between controls and before and after LP data. As a result of LP, the following were found to be in good accordance with the opening pressure: relative compression of cerebrospinal fluid (R = -0.857, P < 0.001) and brain volumes (R = -0.576, P = 0.012), LV expansion (R = 0.772, P < 0.001) and venous volume (R = 0.696, P = 0.001), enlargement of the pituitary (R = 0.640, P = 0.023), and shrinkage of subarachnoid space (R = -0.887, P < 0.001). The only parameter that had an impact on long-term prognosis was cross-sectional size of supplemental drainage veins after LP (sensitivity of 92%, specificity of 20%, and area under the curve of 0.845, P < 0.001). We present an approach for quantitative characterization of the intracranial venous system and its implementation as a diagnostic assistance tool. We conclude that formation of supplementary drainage veins might serve as a long-lasting compensatory mechanism. 2 Technical Efficacy: Stage 3 J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2018;47:913-927.

The Significance of Arachnoid Granulation in Patients With Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension.

The aim of this article was to study the significance of arachnoid granulations (AGs) in patients with idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH). In an institutional review board-approved retrospective chart review study, 79 patients with clinical diagnosis of idiopathic increased intracranial pressure were compared with 63 patients with a diagnosis of multiple sclerosis. Inclusion criteria also included available magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain, older than 18 years, and female sex. Patients with elevated intracranial pressure due to other causes were excluded. The electronic medical records were mined for presence of the following: body mass index, age, headache, vision changes, tinnitus, and vertigo. The MRI of the brain was reviewed for the presence of the following features: empty sella, prominent cerebrospinal fluid space in the optic sheaths, tortuosity of the optic nerves and enlarged Meckel cave. In addition, the number, size, and location of AGs associated with major venous drainage sinuses were documented in all patients. Using statistical analysis, association between various imaging and clinical signs were evaluated. The association between AG and various imaging and clinical signs were evaluated. The percentage of patients with AG were significantly higher in patients with IIH. Patients with IIH tended to have 0 to 3 AG. The most common imaging findings observed in MRI of the brain of patients with IIH were empty sella and prominent cerebrospinal fluid space in the optic sheaths. The prevalence of these MRI findings in patients with IIH was inversely proportional to the number of AG. A similar inverse trend was also noted with the opening pressure of patients with IIH and number of AG. The study establishes that there is a relationship between presence of AG and IIH. Arachnoid granulation seems to act in a compensatory mechanism in patients with IIH.

CMA analysis identifies homozygous deletion of MCPH1 in 2 brothers with primary Microcephaly-1

BackgroundHomozygous mutations and deletions of the microcephalin gene (MCPH1; OMIM *607117) have been identified as a cause of autosomal recessive primary microcephaly and intellectual disability (MIM #251200). Previous studies in families of Asian descent suggest that the severity of the phenotype may vary based on the extent of the genomic alteration. We report chromosome microarray (CMA) findings and the first described family study of a patient with primary microcephaly in a consanguineous Hispanic family.Case presentationThe proband, a boy born at full-term to consanguineous parents from Mexico, presented at 35 months of age with microcephaly, abnormal brain MRI findings, underdeveloped right lung, almond-shaped eyes, epicanthal folds, bilateral esotropia, low hairline, large ears, smooth philtrum, thin upper lip, and developmental delay. MRI of the brain showed a small dermoid or lipoma (without mass effect) within the interpeduncular cistern and prominent arachnoid granulation. The underdeveloped right lung was managed with long-acting inhaled corticosteroids. Otherwise the proband did not have any other significant medical history. The proband had 2 older brothers, ages 14 and 16, from the same consanguineous parents. The 14-year-old brother had a phenotype similar to that of the proband, while both parents and the oldest brother did not have the same phenotypic findings as the proband. The SNP-based CMA analysis of the proband detected a homozygous 250-kb microdeletion at 8p23.2p23.1, extending from 6,061,169 to 6,310,738 bp [hg19]. This genomic alteration encompasses the first 8 exons of MCPH1. Follow-up studies detected the same homozygous deletion in the affected brother, segregating with microcephaly and intellectual disability. Regions of homozygosity (ROHs) were also observed in the affected brother. Since ROHs are associated with an increased risk for recessive disorders, presence of ROH may also contribute to the phenotype of the affected brothers. The parents were both hemizygous for the deletion.ConclusionHere we report a homozygous deletion of multiple exons of the MCPH1 gene that was associated with primary microcephaly and intellectual disability in a Hispanic family. In the context of previous studies, our results support the idea that deletions involving multiple exons cause a more severe phenotype than point mutations.

Posttraumatic hydrocephalus: Lessons learned from management and evaluation at a tertiary institute with review of literature

Abstract Background: Post traumatic hydrocephalus (PTH) is a commonest treatable complication of severe traumatic brain injury that’s leads to failure of improvement and worsening of the outcome. Incidence of posttraumatic hydrocephalus is 0.7%-29% reported in different literature. We have observed the development of PTH frequently seen in patients with severe head injury and after decompressive craniectomy (DC). Pathophysiology includes inflammatory changes and adhesion of arachnoid granulation, cerebral ischemia and alteration in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) dynamics. We studied 35 cases of PTH diagnosed and treated at our institute from May 2008 to May 2017. Material and methods: This is hospital based retrospective and prospective study conducted in tertiary center on the basis of neuro-radiological examination of the patient. Clinical biodata and radiological profile of the patients was studied at initial presentation with trauma, and when the patient worsened with symptoms of raised intracranial pressure (ICP) in state of established PTH. These cases were treated by medium pressure ventriculoperitoneal shunt (V.P shunt) and outcome was evaluated. Results: Incidence of PTH in our study is (2.3%). Out of 35 cases 24 (68.57%) were male and 11(31.4%) were female. Road traffic accident (RTA) was the most common mode of injury (82.85%), acute subdural hematoma (SDH) was the most common finding on C.T scan in 15 cases (42.8 %). Decompressive craniectomy was performed in 77% at time of initial trauma. PTH had favourable outcome with V.P. shunting in 91.42%. Conclusion: Patients with traumatic brain injury present with many complications but PTH is most frequent sequeale that can present in form of various neurological symptoms after trauma and decompressive craniectomy. C.T. scan brain is the investigation of choice for diagnosis of PTH. Outcome was favourable after V.P. shunt in PTH.