Primary intraventricular haemorrhage: the role of frontal minicraniotomy and external ventricular drainage

Abstract

Primary intraventricular haemorrhage (PIVH) is an uncommon type of intracerebral haemorrhage, accounting for only 0.31% of all strokes and 3.1% of all intracerebral haemorrhages. Due to the low incidence of PIVH, little is known about its clinical characteristics, risk factors, aetiologies, prognosis and treatment. Acute hydrocephalus is common and is associated with a poor prognosis. External ventricular drainage (EVD) could promptly reduce intracranial pressure by diverting cerebrospinal fluid and intraventricular blood; however, the incidence of complications such as central nervous system infection, catheter occlusion and rebleeding are relatively common. Despite being an invasive procedure, frontal minicraniotomy is an available therapeutic option to avoid complications of EVD. The authors report a case of a PIVH managed with frontal minicraniotomy and perform a literature review about epidemiological data, clinical features and treatment of PIVH.

Transcranial Sonography Used as a Valuable Diagnostic Tool for Detecting a Hemoventricle, in an Intensive Care Unit Patient

“…5 Patients with hemoventricle are prone to developing secondary complications, such as hydrocephalus, cerebral ischemia, vasospasm, and poor long-term outcomes. 3 Due to its severity, the prompt diagnosis of hemoventricle holds vital diagnostic importance.…”

“…However, limited information is available regarding the outcomes associated with this particular surgical technique in hemoventricle cases. 3,4…”

“…These secondary cases are often discovered as complications of intraparenchymal hematomas (40%) or in conjunction with subarachnoid hemorrhage (10%). 3 It is essential to emphasize that secondary hemoventricles tend to have poor patient outcomes. Conversely, primary hemoventricles represent a rare form of hemorrhagic stroke confined to the ventricular system.…”