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Skull Base 2000; Volume 10(Number 4): 0197-0200
DOI: 10.1055/s-2000-9331
Copyright © 2000 by Thieme Medical Publishers, Inc., 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA. Tel. +1(212)584-4662.

Postoperative Hydrocephalus in Cranial Base Surgery

Duc H. Duong, Sean O'Malley, Laligam N. Sekhar, Donald G. Wright
  • Department of Neuroscience and Epilepsy Center, Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science, Los Angeles, California (DHD), and Department of Neurosurgery, The George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, D.C. (SOM, LNS, DGW).
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Publication History

Publication Date:
31 December 2000 (online)

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ABSTRACT

-The incidence of postoperative hydrocephalus and factors relating to it were analyzed in 257 patients undergoing cranial base surgery for tumor resection. A total of 21 (8%) patients developed postoperative hydrocephalus, and all required shunting. Forty-two (17%) patients developed cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak that required placement of external drainage systems (ventriculostomy or lumbar drain, or both); 10 (23%) of these 42 patients eventually needed shunt placement to stop the leak because of hydrocephalus. Prior craniotomy, prior radiation therapy, and postoperative CSF infection were also associated with an increased risk of developing hydrocephalus (48% versus 6%, 19% versus 8%, and 14% versus 7%, respectively). Prior radiation and postoperative CSF infection increased the risk of CSF leak in patients with hydrocephalus (30% versus 18% and 30% versus 9%, respectively). CSF leak and hydrocephalus commonly occurred in patients who underwent resection of a glomus tumor. In conclusion, 8% of patients who underwent cranial base surgery for tumors developed de novo hydrocephalus; half of them also had CSF leak in addition to hydrocephalus; and all required shunt placement for CSF diversion.

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