Spontaneous resolution of obstructive hydrocephalus from blood in the cerebral aqueduct

Abstract

Obstructive hydrocephalus is a neurological emergency that needs to be immediately identified and treated. It very rarely resolves without treatment. We report about an 86-year-old man with right frontal stroke who developed obstructive hydrocephalus caused by blood in the cerebral aqueduct. The patient had sudden and immediate clinical improvement and a repeated head computed tomography (CT) scan showing spontaneous resolution of hydrocephalus. Spontaneous resolution of obstructive hydrocephalus is possible when the cause is minimal blood in the cerebral aqueduct without any blood in the fourth ventricle.

Keywords

• obstructive hydrocephalus
• spontaneous resolution
• ischemic stroke
• cerebral aqueduct
• hemorrhage.