ObjectiveThis study aims to identify the predictors of postoperative hydrocephalus in patients with posterior fossa tumors (PFTs) and guide the management of perioperative hydrocephalus.MethodsWe performed a single-institution, retrospective analysis of patients who underwent resection of PFTs in our department over a 10-year period (2011–2021). A total of 682 adult patients met the inclusion criteria and were divided into either a prophylactic external ventricular drainage (EVD) group or a nonprophylactic-EVD group. We analyzed data for the nonprophylactic-EVD group by univariate and multivariate analyses to identify predictors of postoperative acute hydrocephalus. We also analyzed all cases by univariate and multivariate analyses to determine the predictors of postoperative ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt placement.ResultsTumor infiltrating the midbrain aqueduct [P = 0.001; odds ratio (OR) = 9.8], postoperative hemorrhage (P < 0.001; OR = 66.7), and subtotal resection (P = 0.006; OR = 9.3) were independent risk factors for postoperative EVD. Tumor infiltrating the ventricular system (P < 0.001; OR = 58.5) and postoperative hemorrhage (P < 0.001; OR = 28.1) were independent risk factors for postoperative VP shunt placement.ConclusionsThese findings may help promote more aggressive monitoring and earlier interventions for postoperative hydrocephalus in patients with PFTs.

ObjectiveThere is no general consensus on the placement of preoperative and intraoperative external ventricular drainage (EVD) in patients with lateral ventricular tumors (LVTs). The aim of this study was to identify the predictors of postoperative acute and persistent hydrocephalus need for postoperative cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) drainage and guide the management of postoperative EVD in patients with LVTs.MethodsWe performed a single-institution, retrospective analysis of patients who underwent resection of LVTs in our Department between January 2011 and March 2021. Patients were divided between one group that required CSF drainage and another group without the need for CSF drainage. We analyzed the two groups by univariate and multivariate analyses to identify the predictors of the requirement for postoperative CSF drainage due to symptomatic intracranial hypertension caused by hydrocephalus.ResultsA total of 97 patients met the inclusion criteria, of which 31 patients received preoperative or intraoperative EVD. Ten patients without prophylactic EVD received postoperative EVD for postoperative acute hydrocephalus. Eleven patients received postoperative ventriculoperitoneal(VP) shunt subsequently. Logistic regression analysis showed that tumor invasion of the anterior ventricle (OR = 7.66), transependymal edema (OR = 8.76), and a large volume of postoperative intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) (OR = 6.51) were independent risk factors for postoperative acute hydrocephalus. Perilesional edema (OR = 33.95) was an independent risk factor for postoperative VP shunt due to persistent hydrocephalus.ConclusionPostoperative hydrocephalus is a common complication in patients with LVTs. These findings might help to determine whether to conduct earlier interventions.