Intracerebral Hemorrhage with Severe Ventricular Involvement --External Ventricle Drainage for Acute Obstructive Hydrocephalus

Background and Purpose: The objective was to analyze the feasibility of an External Ventricle Drainage (EVD) for an obstructive hydrocephalus in patients with severe ventricular hemorrhage. Methods: In this retrospective study, from October 2012 to January 2014 in our department, 23 patients received an EVD for obstructive hydrocephalus. The duration of required EVD, risk factors, and therapeutic effect were analyzed. Results: Twenty three patients were enrolled; Hypertensive cerebral hemorrhage broken into ventricles and caused hydrocephalus in 19 cases, of which 14 cases led an EVD in single lateral ventricle forehead (five cases in left; nine in right side), 5 cases bilateral lateral ventricle forehead drainage; survival for 18 cases, but one case died of pulmonary infection; 4 cases need a further ventriculo-peritoneal shunt. Vascular malformations hemorrhage patients underwent single lateral EVD, bilateral drainage in one case; survived for three cases, one case died due to organ failure after infection; one case needs a further ventriculo-peritoneal shunt. Conclusion: Our data suggest that EVD is a safe and feasible way for treatment of acute obstructive hydrocephalus after intraventricular hemorrhage. After treatment by using an EVD for acute obstructive hydrocephalus, it can relieve patient’s condition and gain time to further save lives.