Chronic Hydrocephalus after Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage

Objective To explore the incidence of the chronic hydrocephalus after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage(aSAH) and the factors correlated with its development. Methods The clinical data of 221 patients with aSAH treated in our department from January 2000 to September 2005 were analyzed retrospectively. The factors that associated with the development of chronic hydroce-phalus were statistically analyzed by single varialble and multiple variables analysis. Results The incidence of chronic hydrocephalus was 12.7% in 221 patients with aSAH. The single variable analysis showed that the factors related to the chronic hydrocephalus included patients' age, Hunt-Hess grade, Fisher grade, the time number of SAH, aneurysmal location and intraventricular hemorrhage. By multiple variables analysis showed that the factors related to the chronic hydrocephalus included Fisher grade, intraventricular hemorrhage, the time number of SAH and aneurysmal location. Conclusions The chronic hydrocephalus is a common complication after aSAH. The risk factors related to it include high Fisher grade, intraventricular hemorrhage, repeated SAH and aneurysm of anterior communication artery. More attention should be paid to the patients with the risk factors and they should be closely followed up for early diagnosis and therapy.