Background: Hydrocephalus associated with subarachnoid hemorrhage is a common neurosurgical problem, the management of which is tailor-made to the patient. It is usually seen with an aneurysmal bleed and is independent of the primary modality of treatment.
Aim: This study aimed to provide a comprehensive overview of this important association and discuss the various available treatment modalities.
Materials and methods: A detailed review of the literature was done on the risk factors, pathogenesis, and treatment of hydrocephalus in the setting of subarachnoid hemorrhage.
Results: Hydrocephalus occurs in 6% to 67% of subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). It may present as acute, subacute, or chronic at the time of presentation. Diagnosis is made with a plain computed tomography scan of the brain, and the treatment is observant, temporary, or permanent cerebrospinal fluid diversion.
Conclusion: Hydrocephalus associated with SAH interferes with the outcome of SAH. It prolongs the hospital stay, besides causing additional morbidity. The various risk factors, if present, should warn us to be vigilant, and management is definitely not uniform and is custom made to the patients' needs.
Keywords: External ventricular drain; hydrocephalus; subarachnoid hemorrhage; ventriculoperitoneal shunt.