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Neuropediatrics 2014; 45(03): 183-187
DOI: 10.1055/s-0033-1363092
Short Communication
Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

An Association between External Hydrocephalus in Infants and Reversible Collapse of the Venous Sinuses

Grant A. Bateman
1   Department of Medical Imaging, John Hunter Hospital, Newcastle, Australia
2   Newcastle University Faculty of Health, Callaghan Campus, Newcastle, Australia
,
Michael Alber
3   Department of Child Neurology, University Children's Hospital, Tuebingen, Germany
,
Martin U. Schuhmann
4   Department of Neurosurgery, Section of Pediatric Neurosurgery, Tuebingen University Hospital, Tuebingen, Germany
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

06 August 2013

05 September 2013

Publication Date:
04 December 2013 (online)

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Abstract

The etiology of external hydrocephalus is usually ascribed to either a delay in maturation or obstruction of the arachnoid granulations, but the arachnoid granulations are absent in neonates. Venous outflow stenoses, similar to those seen in idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH), have been described in external hydrocephalus. A reversible collapse of the sinuses is known to operate in IIH, but collapsible sinuses have not been previously described in infants with external hydrocephalus. Three infants with external hydrocephalus had magnetic resonance venography at differing time points during their illness. The venous sinuses varied in size depending on the cerebrospinal fluid pressure similar to IIH in adults. External hydrocephalus may be analogous to IIH in adults.

Keywords

external hydrocephalus - MR venography - venous sinus - stenosis - idiopathic intracranial hypertension
 

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