Hydrocephalus in Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia

Abstract EN

Objective : Hydrocephalus is a common condition seen in the neurosurgical practice that usually requires inser¬tion of a cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) shunt.

It is commonly seen in our country for possible several reasons; some of them are the prohibition of abortion and increased con-sanguinity marriages.

In this study, the authors retrospec¬tively analyzed 124 hydrocephalic patients operated upon at our institute for three years period.

Our aim is to verify the extent of the problem in our community, addressed some facts and to improve our services.

Methods : Between January 1999 and December 2001, 124 patients with hydrocephalus underwent CSF shunt operations (insertions and revisions) at King Fahd Hospi¬tal of the University were retrospectively analyzed to as¬sess the etiology, clinical presentation, management and outcome.

Results : In this study, 124patients were analyzed.

244 operations were performed.

96patients (72.4 %) had con¬genital hydrocephalus, 24 patients (20 %) had associated cranial anomalies, 32 patients (25 %), their parents were relatives.

70 patients (56 %) had noticeable mental retar-dation.

Shunt malfunction reported in 71 patients (57 %) and the infection rate was 8 % (10 patients).

Conclusion : The higher incidence of hydrocephalus between Saudi population possibly due to consanguinity marriages and prohibition of abortion.

Premarital coun¬seling and people orientation about this problem might help to reduce the number of cases.

Shunt infection and mal¬function are still the main complications of shunting.

There is possibility of reducing the complication’s rate if a spe¬cial protocol is advocated and strictly followed.