Hydrocephalus after decompressive craniotomy: a case series.

Background: Post-craniectomy hydrocephalus in patients with intracranial hypertension is becoming a major concern for neurosurgeons because of the increasing number of hospital admissions for head trauma, stroke and other lesions which may lead to severe brain oedema requiring decompressive craniectomy.

Methods: We collected records of all the paediatric patients who developed hydrocephalus following decompressive craniotomy from October 2011 to October 2013 and analysed their clinical profiles.

Results: We had 3 patients in this group, ranging in age from 6 to 18 years; 1 patient died and the other 2 patients continue to remain in follow-up.

Conclusion: Post-traumatic hydrocephalus is one of the rare complications of decompressive craniotomy; CSF diversion remains the only option for improvement in neurological status.