A Rare Case of Acute Onset of Hydrocephalus in a Nineteen-Year-Old Patient |Biomedgrid

Hydrocephalus is a rare disorder characterized by the accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) inside the ventricles of the brain. The disease has multiple etiologies including, but not limited to, congenital malformations, neoplasms, and infections. The case discussed in this report pertains to a 19-year-old male who presented with acute hydrocephalus. Initial workups such as physical exams, CBC, chemistry panel, CT imaging and ECG were performed. Furthermore, initial treatment with Diamox and dexamethasone was started. The patient was then moved to the neurosurgery department at a tertiary hospital where an EVD was placed. Unfortunately, the patient had a complication during the EVD placement and developed an epidural hematoma and swelling in the posterior fossa a few days afterward. Furthermore, the patient was diagnosed with a Factor VII deficiency and started on replacement therapy. Despite medical treatment, the patient's condition continued to deteriorate, and he passed away 44 days after admission into the tertiary hospital. Due to the patient's age group as well as the presence of a concurrent clotting disorder, ascertaining the ideal treatment proved to be difficult. Therefore, a review of the case as well as meta-analysis of related articles may shine a light on how to not only diagnose the underlying causes of hydrocephalus but also discuss strategies that can be undertaken if comorbid conditions are present.