Restoration of the corticoreticular pathway following shunt operation for hydrocephalus in a stroke patient

RATIONALE We report on a stroke patient who showed restoration of discontinued corticoreticular pathways (CRPs) on serial diffusion tensor tractography (DTT) concurrent with recovery of gait disturbance following shunt operation for hydrocephalus. PATIENT CONCERNS A 67-year-old female patient underwent stereotactic drainage for management of intraventricular hemorrhage due to a rupture of the left posterior communicating artery. DIAGNOSES After 4 weeks from onset, the patient exhibited quadriparesis with more severe weakness in the proximal muscles and could not even stand or walk. She underwent comprehensive rehabilitation for 3 weeks. Her quadriparesis, as a result of hydrocephalus, did not improve significantly. INTERVENTIONS On the pre-op DTT, discontinuations (the right CRP: at subcortical white matter level, and the left CRP: at the midbrain level) of the CRP fibers from the premotor cortex were observed in both hemispheres. OUTCOMES She underwent a ventriculo-peritoneal shunt operation and her quadriparesis improved, especially the proximal muscles. Consequently, she could walk with mild assistance on an even floor at 5 days and walk on stairs at 4 weeks after the shunt operation. On the post-op DTT, the discontinued CRP fibers were elongated to the premotor cortex in both hemispheres. LESSONS Restoration of discontinued CRPs concurrent with recovery of gait disturbance following shunt operation for hydrocephalus was demonstrated in a stroke patient.