Premium
Hydrocephalus Secondary To Meningitis
Author(s) -
Maccabe J. J.
Publication year - 1962
Publication title -
developmental medicine and child neurology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.658
H-Index - 143
eISSN - 1469-8749
pISSN - 0012-1622
DOI - 10.1111/j.1469-8749.1962.tb03160.x
Subject(s) - medicine , hydrocephalus , meningitis , choroid plexus , lumbar puncture , surgery , intracranial pressure , cistern , lumbar , cerebrospinal fluid , fourth ventricle , anesthesia , central nervous system , archaeology , history
F ourteen cases of hydrocephalus in the adult, secondary to proven meningitis, have been treated in the Department of Surgical Neurology in Edinburgh over the past 15 years. The organism most frequently responsible was the meningococcus. In two instances, hydrocephalus followed tuberculous meningitis. Four cases developed hydrocephalus as the meningitis was apparently terminating. One showed secondary impairment of consciousness with papilloedema and rising of fluid pressure on lumbar puncture. Treatment by lumbar drainage of CSF resulted in a return to normal pressure readings and a gradual lightening of the conscious level. Complete separation of a portion of ventricle containing secreting choroid plexus occurred in a second case. Lumbar air encephalogram demonstrated a moderate degree of ventricular distension with basal cisternal obstruction. A left parietal abscess developed and was aspirated. Clinical improvement followed but was not maintained. The left posterior and inferior horns were now greatly distended and completely closed off from the body of the lateral ventricle (Figs. 1 and 2). The loculation was drained with a polythene tube into the body of the ventricle and thereafter the patient made steady progress.