Related Experiment Video

Updated: Sep 24, 2026

Pre-Chiasmatic, Single Injection of Autologous Blood to Induce Experimental Subarachnoid Hemorrhage in a Rat Model
09:14

Pre-Chiasmatic, Single Injection of Autologous Blood to Induce Experimental Subarachnoid Hemorrhage in a Rat Model

Published on: June 18, 2021

Acute cerebrospinal fluid hydrothorax: a delayed complication of subdural-pleural shunting

R I Davidson, J Zito

    Neurosurgery
    |April 1, 1982
    PubMed

    Insights

    A child with chronic subdural hematoma treated with a shunt developed hydrothorax. Removing the shunt resolved the hydrothorax, maintaining neurological recovery without causing hydrocephalus.

    Area of Science:

    • Pediatric Neurosurgery
    • Traumatic Brain Injury Management

    Background:

    • Chronic subdural hematoma (CSH) in children can result from non-accidental trauma.
    • Surgical management of recurrent CSH may involve shunting procedures.

    Observation:

    • A 3.5-year-old child with bilateral CSH due to battering experienced a unilateral recurrence.
    • Initial treatment involved a subdural-pleural shunt, which was successful in managing the recurrence.
    • The patient later presented with severe respiratory distress, suspected to be cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) hydrothorax.

    Findings:

    • The subdural-pleural shunt, intended to manage CSH, led to the development of hydrothorax.
    • Removal of the shunt successfully treated the hydrothorax.
    • Neurological recovery achieved prior to shunt placement was maintained post-removal.
    • No subsequent hydrocephalus was observed after shunt removal.

    Implications:

    • Subdural-pleural shunts, while effective for CSH, carry a risk of complications like hydrothorax.
    • Careful monitoring is crucial after shunt placement in pediatric patients with CSH.
    • Shunt removal can be a viable treatment for shunt-induced hydrothorax, preserving neurological status.

    More Related Videos

    Modeling Posthemorrhagic Hydrocephalus of Prematurity in Rats04:12

    Modeling Posthemorrhagic Hydrocephalus of Prematurity in Rats

    Published on: March 28, 2025

    Expansion Duroplasty For Severe Cervical Spinal Cord Swelling After Traumatic Injury: A Step-by-Step Surgical Protocol05:45

    Expansion Duroplasty For Severe Cervical Spinal Cord Swelling After Traumatic Injury: A Step-by-Step Surgical Protocol

    Published on: May 26, 2026

    Related Concept Videos

    Hemorrhagic Stroke ll: Pathophysiology01:29

    Hemorrhagic Stroke ll: Pathophysiology

    A hemorrhagic stroke develops when a cerebral blood vessel ruptures, allowing blood to escape into the surrounding brain tissue, as in intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH), or into the subarachnoid space, as in subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). Because the skull is a rigid compartment, the sudden presence of extravascular blood rapidly increases intracranial pressure and compresses adjacent neural structures, leading to immediate tissue injury and impaired cerebral perfusion.Mass Effect and Primary...
    Brain Abscess l: Introduction01:26

    Brain Abscess l: Introduction

    A brain abscess is a focal, intracerebral infection characterized by a localized collection of pus within the brain parenchyma, resulting from microbial invasion and the body’s inflammatory response. It progresses through stages: early and late cerebritis, followed by early and late capsule formation, reflecting tissue destruction, immune response, and eventual encapsulation.Etiology and PathogenesisCausative organisms vary with source and host factors, often involving polymicrobial infections,...
    Increased Intracranial Pressure l: Introduction01:14

    Increased Intracranial Pressure l: Introduction

    Intracranial hypertension is a sustained elevation of intracranial pressure (ICP) above 22 mm Hg. In supine adults, normal ICP is ~7–15 mm Hg.The rigid, nonexpandable cranium contains three components—brain tissue, blood, and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)—that total ~1,700 mL in a typical adult: 1,400 mL brain (~80%), 150 mL blood (~10%), and 150 mL CSF (~10%). According to the Monro–Kellie doctrine, total intracranial volume is effectively fixed. When one component expands, CSF and venous blood...
    Increased Intracranial Pressure ll: Pathophysiology01:29

    Increased Intracranial Pressure ll: Pathophysiology

    Increased intracranial pressure (ICP) refers to a potentially life-threatening rise in pressure inside the skull. This usually happens when there is a major change in the volume of brain tissue, blood, or cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) — the three components inside the skull. According to the Monro-Kellie doctrine, if the volume of one component increases, the volumes of the other components must decrease to maintain normal pressure. If this does not happen, ICP rises.The process often begins with...
    Cerebral Edema l: Introduction01:19

    Cerebral Edema l: Introduction

    Cerebral edema is a pathological increase in brain water content that disrupts intracranial pressure regulation and impairs neurological function. Because the cranial vault is rigid, even modest increases in tissue volume can compromise cerebral perfusion, distort neural structures, and initiate secondary injury. Cerebral edema develops through four principal mechanisms: vasogenic, cytotoxic, interstitial, and ionic.Vasogenic EdemaVasogenic edema arises from disruption of the blood–brain...
    Cerebral Edema ll: Pathophysiology01:22

    Cerebral Edema ll: Pathophysiology

    Vasogenic edema is a major form of cerebral edema characterized by abnormal accumulation of fluid in the brain’s extracellular space due to disruption of the blood–brain barrier (BBB). The BBB is a specialized structure composed of endothelial cells connected by tight junctions, supported by astrocytic endfeet and a basement membrane. Under normal conditions, it tightly regulates the movement of ions, proteins, and solutes between the bloodstream and brain parenchyma. When this barrier loses...