[The effect of shunting operations on the psychopathological symptoms of posttraumatic hydrocephalus]

A total number of 35 patients underwent CSF diversion procedures for posttraumatic hydrocephalus (HCP). To facilitate the analysis of correlation between the onset and clinical course of HCP and psychopathology, all patients were divided into 2 groups. Group 1 consisted of patients who developed HCP within the first 6 months after head injury interfering with the psychiatric recovery. Group 2 was formed by patients who developed HCP after being stable for more than 6 months after injury and having some sort of psychiatric condition (e.g., vegetable status, dementia) before HCP was evident. We considered surgery to be effective if patients had signs of postoperative psychiatric improvement. This was demonstrated in 68.8% of the cases. Mental changes were more prominent in Group 1 vs Group 2. Worsening of the condition was noted only in six patients, all from the second group. It was transient in 4 cases and progressive in 2 cases. All complications occurred due to intracranial infections.