Turkish Neurosurgery
2012 , Vol 22 , Num 4
Armored Brain in Patients with Hydrocephalus after Shunt Surgery: Review of the Literatures
Zagazig University Hospitals, Department of Neurosurgery, Zagazig, Egypt
DOI :
10.5137/1019-5149.JTN.4782-11.1
Armored brain or chronic calcified subdural hematoma is a rare complication of cerebrospinal fluid diversion with few cases reported in the
literature. Seventeen patients with this pathology have been published. A complete review of the literatures regarding this topic has been
collected and discussed. The author also presents a 12- year old boy with triventricular hydrocephalus who had undergone ventriculoperitoneal
medium pressure shunt system since birth. The patient presented to our clinic with a 2-year history of seizures. The patient was conscious
and without neurological deficits on examination. Computed tomography of the brain showed bilateral high density mass with surface
calcification. X ray skull and MRI confirmed the calcified subdural hematoma bilaterally. We preferred conservative treatment and the patient
continued his antiepileptic treatment. At one year follow up, the patient had the same neurological state. The case highlights the importance
of frequent follow up CT brain after shunt surgery.
Keywords :
Armored brain, Subdural hematoma, Hydrocephalus, Ventriculoperitoneal shunt, Complications