A case of transient acute hydrocephalus due to intraventricular hemorrhage

Abstract

We report a rare case of transient acute hydrocephalus due to intraventricular hemorrhage. A 76-year-old man, who had undergone warfarin treatment for atrial fibrillation, developed right thalamic hemorrhage with ventricular perforation and was admitted to the hospital for an emergency. We selected a conservative treatment and the followup CT scan showed rapid wash-out of the intraventricular hematoma however, the patient suddenly deteriorated his consciousness 2 days after the onset. The emergent CT scan revealed an acute hydrocephalus due to the clot plaque at the aqueduct. An emergent external ventricular drainage was performed; however, his consciousness improved during the operation. The postoperative CT demonstrated the improvement of hydrocephalus and the disappearance of the clot plaque. The fragile clot due to warfarinization might play a critical role in the transient plaque formation at aqueduct, causing acute hydrocephalus.