Applications of Neuroimaging in Hydrocephalus

Abstract

Hydrocephalus is a common problem in pediatric neurological and neurosurgical practices. In this manuscript, the common imaging appearances of hydrocephalus are discussed in relation to the underyling causes of the hydrocephalus. Moreover, specific findings seen on magnetic resonance imaging (MR) examinations are discussed and contrasted with those on computed x-ray tomography (CT) and ultrasound. Finally the imaging findings associated with treatment of hydrocephalus are discussed. In particular, analysis of shunt function, the diagnosis of shunt failure, and the complications of shunting are stressed.

Hydrocephalus: A Previously Unrecognized Predictor of Poor Outcome From Supratentorial Intracerebral Hemorrhage

“…Previously available methods for defining hydrocephalus all relied on the relationship between ventricular size and shape and the anatomy of the surrounding tissues. 15,16 In the presence of a mass lesion that distorts the normal anatomy, these methods cannot be applied. Additionally, the mass of the hematoma may compress OR indicates odds ratio with 95% confidence interval; ␤, beta weight.…”

“…15,16 We therefore developed a system that grades each of 8 portions of the ventricular system independently. The hydrocephalus score was determined by grading the frontal horn, atrium, and temporal horn of each lateral ventricle and the third and fourth ventricles.…”

Lesions of the corpus callosum in hydrocephalic patients with ventricular drainage ? a CT-study

“…Numerous complications may develop during or following insertion of a ventricular drain [1,8]. Drainage associated lesions of the corpus callosum up to now have found little interest in the literature.…”

Development of Chronic Hydrocephalus and Early Cranial CT Findings in Spontaneous Intracerebral/Intraventricular Hemorrhage

“…Diagnosis was established by early cranial CT scanning. Hydrocephalus was diagnosed if IVH in ICH was present together with at least one of the following radiological criteria [2,8,11,15,25,26]: Clotted/dilated IV th ventricle, dilatation ("ballooning") of III rdventricle, dilatation of temporal horns of lateral ventricles, flattening of cerebral sulci, transependymal paraventricular exsudation of CSF ("capping"). These parameters were added to a semiquantitative CSF circulation impairment score (range 1-5) which could be used for statistical purposes.…”