Prevalence of post-traumatic hydrocephalus in moderate to severe head injury

The inclusion in the Heinonen’s study of many elderly patients with brain injury may have deceptively reduced the prevalence of post-traumatic hydrocephalus (PTH). On the contrary PTH is a very frequent complication in patients with moderate to severe traumatic brain injury. Prompt diagnosis and treatment of PTH prevents irreversible brain damage, reduces severe disability, and avoids poor outcome. Neuroradiologists and neurosurgeons should avoid backing a past culture of brain “atrophy” or “ventriculomegaly” following traumatic brain injury.