Regression of Liquorodynamic Disorders and Ventriculoperitoneal Shunt Overdrain Syndrome Clinic in a Patient After Severe Brain Injury with Posttraumatic Hydrocephalus and a Giant Cranial Bones Defect After Cranioplasty: Case Report

Introduction. The frequency of post-traumatic hydrocephalus is 3.9%. The incidence of post-traumatic defects of the skull is 10.46 per 100,000 per year. Overdrain syndrome occurs in 10–12% of cases in patients with long-term ventricular shunting. The presence of a cranial defect causes a violation of blood flow and cerebrospinal fluid dynamics in the area of the defect, a displacement of brain structures under the influence of gravity and atmospheric pressure, which can cause a deterioration in the patient’s condition and a significant slowdown in recovery after a severe head injury. Both craniotomy syndrome and excessive shunting can impede the verticalization and rehabilitation of patients with post-traumatic hydrocephalus and post-traumatic defects of the bones of the cranial vault.

Description of the clinical case. Clinical case demonstrates an example of a differential approach and an algorithm for deciding on surgical treatment in a patient with post-traumatic hydrocephalus and cranial bones defect in case of deterioration during attempts at verticalization in a complex of rehabilitation measures.

Conclusion. The clinical manifestations of trephine skull syndrome and syndrome of shunt overdrain in the patient after severe traumatic brain injury combines post-traumatic hydrocephalus, may be similar. And not always, as demonstrated in this clinical case, narrowed ventricles and the relationship of deterioration to verticalization should be interpreted as a syndrome of excessive drainage of the shunt system. The plastic surgery of the defect of the bones of the cranial vault performed in this case made it possible to improve the patient’s condition and regress symptoms.