Neutrophil Count on Admission Predicts Acute Symptomatic Hydrocephalus After Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage.

Objective: To investigate the association between immunologic counts on admission and acute symptomatic hydrocephalus after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH).

Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of 143 consecutive patients with aSAH. Patient demographics, clinical parameters, laboratory values, and radiographic imaging were obtained. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to investigate parameters independently associated with acute symptomatic hydrocephalus. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis determined the best threshold value of neutrophil count to differentiate patients with and without hydrocephalus.

Results: Overall, acute symptomatic hydrocephalus developed in 39.16% of patients. In an adjusted multivariate logistic regression model, Hunt and Hess grade 4-5 (odds ratio [OR]: 16.052, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.188-216.983; P = 0.037), modified Fisher score 3-4 (OR: 10.107, 95% CI: 1.715-59.572; P = 0.011), intraventricular hemorrhage (OR: 4.578, 95% CI: 1.417-14.788; P = 0.011), neutrophil count (OR: 1.183, 95% CI: 1.033-1.354; P = 0.015), and prior ischemic stroke (OR: 7.003, 95% CI: 1.293-37.929; P = 0.024) were significantly associated with hydrocephalus. ROC analysis for neutrophil count confirmed an acceptable area under the curve (AUC 0.780, 95% CI: 0.701-0.859; P < 0.001). The best threshold value of neutrophil count to predict hydrocephalus was ≥9.80 × 10/mL. Overall, 81.25% of patients who developed shunt dependence had a neutrophil count ≥9.80 × 10/mL on admission (P = 0.003).

Conclusions: Neutrophil count ≥9.80 × 10/mL on admission predicts acute symptomatic hydrocephalus after aSAH in an adjusted multivariate logistic regression model. Moreover, shunt dependence was associated with higher neutrophil counts.