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Modeling Posthemorrhagic Hydrocephalus of Prematurity in Rats
Published on: March 28, 2025
External hydrocephalus in two cats
Curtis W Dewey1, Joan R Coates, Julie M Ducoté
1Long Island Veterinary Specialists, Plainview, New York 11803, USA.
Abstract:
External hydrocephalus describes an accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) between the cerebral hemispheres and the overlying arachnoid membrane, rather than within the lateral ventricles. Two young cats with encephalopathic signs were diagnosed with external hydrocephalus, one via magnetic resonance imaging and one via computed tomography. Both cats had abnormally large, broad heads, with no evidence of open fontanelles. A surgical shunt was placed in each cat to divert the accumulated CSF within the cranial cavity to the peritoneal space. Both cats improved dramatically soon after surgical shunting was performed, and they continue to do well clinically, approximately 42 months and 8 months postoperatively, respectively.
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