Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 9, 2026
Inducing Post-Traumatic Epilepsy in a Mouse Model of Repetitive Diffuse Traumatic Brain Injury
Published on: February 10, 2020
Predictors Associated With Post-Traumatic Hydrocephalus in Patients With Head Injury Undergoing Unilateral
Qianxin Hu1, Guangfu Di1, Xuefei Shao1
1Department of Neurosurgery, Yijishan Hospital, Wannan Medical College, Wuhu, China.
Insights
Predictors for post-traumatic hydrocephalus (PTH) after decompressive craniectomy (DC) in traumatic brain injury (TBI) patients were identified. Older age, lower GCS, IVH, PCI, and meningitis predict PTH development, aiding early detection.
Area of Science:
- Neurosurgery
- Neurology
- Critical Care Medicine
Background:
- Post-traumatic hydrocephalus (PTH) complicates recovery from head trauma.
- PTH is associated with poor outcomes and clinical deterioration after decompression surgery.
- Identifying predictors of PTH is crucial for managing traumatic brain injury (TBI) patients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify predictors of post-traumatic hydrocephalus (PTH) in patients with TBI.
- To analyze factors associated with PTH development after unilateral decompressive craniectomy (DC).
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of clinical and radiological data of TBI patients who underwent unilateral DC.
- Analysis of 183 patients, assessing outcomes within 3 months post-injury.
- Statistical analysis including univariate, multivariable, and ROC curve analyses.
Main Results:
- 50 out of 183 patients (27.32%) developed PTH.
- Independent predictors for PTH included older age, lower Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score on admission, intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH), post-traumatic cerebral infarction (PCI), and postoperative meningitis.
- A combination of these five factors showed high accuracy (AUC 0.836) in predicting PTH.
Conclusions:
- Patients undergoing unilateral DC with advanced age, low GCS, IVH, PCI, or meningitis require close monitoring.
- Early prediction of PTH is possible by monitoring these identified risk factors.
- This facilitates timely intervention and improves outcomes for TBI patients.
Objective:
Post-traumatic hydrocephalus (PTH) makes recovery from head trauma after decompression more complicated and is associated with high risks of clinical deterioration and poor outcomes. The aim of this study was to verify the predictors associated with the development of PTH in patients with head injury undergoing unilateral decompressive craniectomy (DC).
Methods:
Among traumatic brain injury (TBI) patients who underwent unilateral DC between January 2013 and December 2016, the clinical medical records, radiological information, and changes of patients' conditions in the 3-month after injury were reviewed retrospectively.
Results:
183 TBI patients after unilateral DC were analyzed, and 50 (27.32%) of them suffered PTH based on head CT scans. Univariate and multivariable analyses revealed that older age (p = 0.002), the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score at admission (p < 0.001), intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH; p = 0.008), post-traumatic cerebral infarction (PCI; p = 0.007), and postoperative meningitis (p = 0.016) were independent predictors for the hydrocephalus after DC. Receiver operating characteristic curves were created and the area under the curve (AUC) were calculated to further assess the accuracy of the variables for predicting PTH. The AUC was 0.836 for the combined all five independent factors (95% confidence interval: 0.775-0.887).
Conclusion:
TBI patients who undergo unilateral DC with advanced age, lower GCS score at admission, coexisting IVH, PCI, and/or postoperative meningitis should be closely monitored at follow-up assessments for earlier prediction of PTH.
Related Concept Videos
01:27Post-traumatic Stress Disorder
Symptoms and Behavioral Manifestations
A spectrum of distressing symptoms characterizes PTSD. Recurrent flashbacks, where individuals involuntarily relive traumatic events,...
01:19Muscles that Move the Head
The bilateral sternocleidomastoid, or SCM, and the suprahyoid and infrahyoid muscles are significant head flexors. The SCM muscles originate at the sternum and clavicle and attach to the mastoid process of the temporal bone. The SCM contracts bilaterally to bend the head forward, whereas...
01:20Traumatic Memory
01:26Arteries of the Head and Neck
The internal carotid arteries supply blood to the anterior portion of the cerebrum. They enter the...
01:19Veins of Head and Neck
On the other hand, the vertebral veins, unlike their arterial counterparts, are not primarily responsible for brain drainage. Instead, they drain the cervical vertebrae, spinal cord, and some small...
01:22Burn Injuries
The damage results in the death of skin cells, which can lead to a massive loss of fluid. Dehydration, electrolyte imbalance, and renal and circulatory failure follow, which can be fatal. Burn patients are treated with intravenous fluids to offset...