Abstract
INTRODUCTION: hydrocephalus is a progressive distension of the anatomical spaces (ventricles and subarachnoid space) containing the cerebrospinal fluid. It most commonly affects children. In developed countries, its prevalence and incidence are estimated between 0.9 to 1.2 per 1000 and 0.2 to 0.6 per 1000 live births respectively and between 50 000 and 100 000 new cases develop each year in the world. The purpose of this study was to describe the clinical, paraclinical and therapeutic features of hydrocephalus in 4 medical facilities in Lubumbashi. METHOD: we conducted a descriptive cross-sectional study at the University Clinics of Lubumbashi, Cinquantenaire Hospital, Sendwe General Reference Hospital and ARS Clinic from April 1(st), 2015 to September 30(th), 2019. Data were collected on the basis of a data collection sheet containing several study parameters including age, sex, clinical signs, birth weight, patient's history, head circumference, CT scan assessment and disease progression. Our sample consisted of 91 subjects with hydrocephalus. RESULT: the age group 29 days to 24 months (infant) was most commonly affected, i.e. 57.14%, with a sex ratio of 1.67 and a male predominance. The main detecting sign was macrocrania in all patients, followed by setting-sun sign in 53.85% of patients. Brain CT scan was performed in all patients and 65.92% of them had tetraventricular hydrocephalus. Ventriculoperitoneal shunt was performed in all patients. There were no deaths in the postoperative period; postoperative infectious and mechanical complications accounted for 8.79% and 4.40% respectively. The average length of stay in the hospital was 5.65 days. CONCLUSION: hydrocephalus is the most common reason for pediatric neurosurgery. Clinicians should focus on these results which highlight the importance of early diagnosis and proper management.