CSF Lumbar Drainage: A Safe Surgical Option in Refractory Intracranial Hypertension Associated with Acute...

External lumbar drainage (ELD) of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in posttraumatic refractory intracranial hypertension (ICHT) is controversial. We report our experience of ELD in ICHT associated with acute disturbance of CSF flow within subarachnoid spaces (SASs).

Four adult patients admitted to the neurointensive care unit for severe TBI who presented with secondary ICHT are retrospectively reported. When refractory to second-tier therapy, if external ventricular drainage were not possible or failed, and in the absence of an indication for craniotomy to treat a mass lesion or decompressive craniectomy, we assessed the evolution of CSF volume within cranial SAS and checked the presence of basal cisterns and the absence of tonsillar herniation to evaluate interest in and the safety of ELD.

As second-tier therapy failed to lower intracranial pressure (ICP; mean ICP 37 ± 5 mmHg), and computed tomography (CT) showed abnormally enlarged cranial SAS following traumatic subarachnoid hemorrhage, patients received ELD. ICP decreased, with immediate and long-term effect (mean ICP 5 mmHg ± 2 mmHg). There were no complications to report.

Acute traumatic external hydrocephalus may explain some of the specific situations of secondary increased ICP, with a "normal" CT scan, that is refractory to medical treatment. In these situations, lumbar drainage should be considered to be a safe, minimally invasive, and effective surgical option.