Pathology of post meningitic hydrocephalus

Abstract

Meningitis of bacterial (including tubercular) or non bacterial origin is a common and lethal infection of central nervous system in children. Although, with the use of modern medical facilities including antibiotics, the mortality rates of meningitis have decreased, yet the number of patients surviving with complications such as hydrocephalus have greatly increased. In this article the etiopathogenesis of post meningitis hydrocephalus has been reviewed. Effective use of appropriate antibiotics and shunt procedures have improved the outcome of post meningitic hydrocephalus of bacterial origin but the same is not true with that of fungal origin, which still carries high mortality and morbidity.