Hydrocephalus — revision of its definition and classification with special reference to “intractable infantile hydrocephalus”

Abstract

With the advent of computed tomography (CT) scan, much information has been obtained about the pathophysiology of hydrocephalus. It is now clear that hydrocephalus is not a disease entity but rather a syndrome or sign resulting from disturbances in the dynamics of cerebralspinal fluid (CSF) caused by various diseases. Consequently, it has become necessary to revise its definition and classification. In this paper, a contemporary definition and classification of hydrocephalus are presented. Also, a classification of "intractable hydrocephalus"--with its diagnostic criteria--which is a clinically unsolved problem, is attempted, bearing in mind its place in the clinical management and future investigation of the pathophysiology of hydrocephalus.

The Analysis of Syrian Refugee Patients Treated With the Diagnose of Hydrocephalus: The Study of 28 Cases

“…Hydrocephalus is not only a pathological entity; but it involves a wide pathological group as well. Therefore, though it is possible to make various classifications for hydrocephalus, it can be divided into two groups as congenital and acquired in terms of etiological 7 . Congenital hydrocephalus gives findings in early stage and it occurs depending on aqueduct stenosis, atresia of the foramen of Monro, Arnold-Chiari and Dandy-Walker malformations, benign intracranial cysts, infections, intraventricular haemorrhages, genetic defects and teratogens 8 .…”

Is All “Communicating” Hydrocephalus Really Communicating? Prospective Study on the Value of 3D-Constructive Interference in Steady State Sequence at 3T

“…In choosing the most appropriate treatment technique and to assess the prognosis in hydrocephalus, the classification of hydrocephalus and demonstration of obstruction, if it exists, are of significant importance. 20,33 The terminology and the classification of hydrocephalus are still a matter of debate and are not the aims of our study. However, it is obvious that we need accurate neuroimaging techniques to demonstrate CSF pathways precisely.…”

“…The Dandy traditional classification of hydrocephalus was used. 20,21 This classification system depends on administering a dye into the lateral ventricle and then trying to detect the dye in the CSF sample collected by lumbar puncture. On the basis of this definition, hydrocephalus cases with obstructive cisternal membrane only, without accompanying intraventricular or fourth ventricular exit foramina obstruction, were defined as a communicating hydrocephalus.…”

Ventriculoperitoneal (vp) shunt survival in patients developing hydrocephalus after cranial surgery

“…A number of classification schemes have been proposed to categorize hydrocephalus (3,22,32,33,37). However, no single scheme is comprehensive enough to encompass all aspects of this diverse entity (40).…”

“…Left untreated, this condition can lead to rapid deterioration and adverse long-term outcomes, both in pediatric (45) and adult (28) patients. Prompt CSF diversion with ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt insertion remains the most popular treatment for hydrocephalus (17).A number of classification schemes have been proposed to categorize hydrocephalus (3,22,32,33,37). However, no single scheme is comprehensive enough to encompass all aspects of this diverse entity (40).…”