Objectives: Severe post-hemorrhaghic internal
hydrocephalus with almost complete atrophy of the cerebral
parenchyma, as in the following case, is rare.
Case report: A 19yo Caucasian female with a history of
premature birth, perinatal intraventricular bleeding,
developmental delay, mental retardation, and epilepsy, was
admitted for recurrent generalized tonic-clonic seizures. She was able to produce some noises but was unable to
communicate with understandable speech. There was
severe mental retardation, motor deficits, and
tetraspasticity. She was able to sit and eat but was otherwise dependent on the parents’ support. Monotherapy with primidon since age 15y was increased to 500mg/d. A CT
scan of the cerebrum showed a massive internal
hydrocephalus with atrophy of the basal ganglia, the white
matter, the cerebellum, but also the cortex. Neurosurgeons
decided against a shunt.
Conclusions: Despite severe atrophy of the cerebral
parenchyma, severe post-hemorrhagic internal
hydrocephalus, manifesting as psychomotor retardation,
epilepsy, and tetraspasticity, is compatible with life.