Abstract
Introduction
Hydrocephalus due to aqueductal stenosis following mumps meningoencephalitis is a rare condition, reported only in 16 cases in the literature. The pathogenetic role of the mumps virus in inducing aqueductal stenosis has been demonstrated experimentally in animal models and clinically proven in a few cases. Although obstructive in nature, the post-infectious etiology raises the question as to whether third ventriculostomy is the appropriate treatment.
Patient
We report a case of hydrocephalus due to pure aqueductal stenosis occurring in an 11-year-old boy who suffered from mumps meningoencephalitis 9 years previously. The boy was successfully treated by endoscopic third ventriculostomy.
Conclusions
The present case offers further evidence of the purely obstructive nature of the hydrocephalus induced by paramyxovirus meningoencephalitis, even if it did occur several years after the infectious disease. The pathogenesis of mumps-induced hydrocephalus and the rationale of treatment are discussed, and the literature is reviewed.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Bang HO, Bang J (1943) Involvement of the central nervous system in mumps. Acta Med Scand 113:487–505
Bray PF (1972) Mumps—a cause of hydrocephalus? Pediatrics 49:446–449
Gonzalez-Gil J, Zarrabeitia MT, Altuzzara E, Sanchez-Molina I, Calvet R (2000) Hydrocephalus: a fatal late consequence of mumps encephalitis. J Forensic Sci 45:204–207
Herndon RM, Johnson RT, Davis LE, Descalzi LR (1974) Ependymitis in mumps virus meningitis. Electron microscopical studies of cerebrospinal fluid. Arch Neurol 30:475–479
Hower J, Clar HE, Duchting M (1972) Mumps as a cause of hydrocephalus. Pediatrics 50:346–347
Jacobson EE, Fletcher DF, Morgan MK, Johnston IH (1999) Computer modelling of the CSF flow dynamics of aqueductal stenosis. Med Biol Eng Comput 37:59–63
Jellinger G (1986) Anatomopathology of nontumoral aqueductal stenosis. J Neurosurg Sci 30:1–16
Johnson RT, Johnson KP (1968) Hydrocephalus following viral infection. The pathology of aqueductal stenosis developing after experimental mumps virus infection. J Neuropathol Exp Neurol 27:591–606
Johnson RT, Johnson KP, Edmonds CJ (1967) Virus-induced hydrocephalus: development of aqueductal stenosis in hamsters after mumps infection. Science 157:1066–1067
Meyer HM Jr (1960) Central nervous system syndromes of viral etiology. Am J Med 29:334–347
Ogata H, Oka K, Mitsudome A (1992) Hydrocephalus due to acute aqueductal stenosis following mumps infection: report of a case and review of the literature. Brain Dev 14:417–419
Oran B, Ceri A, Yilmaz H, Kabakus N, Aycicek A, Erkul I (1995) Hydrocephalus in mumps meningoencephalitis: case report. Pediatr Infect Dis J 14:724–725
Rotilio A, Salar G, Dollo C, Ori C, Carteri A (1985) Aqueductal stenosis following mumps infection. Case report. Ital J Neurol Sci 6:237–239
Russell DS (1949) Observations on the pathology of hydrocephalus (special report series Medical Research Council, No. 265). HM Stationery Office, London
Sarnat HB (1995) Ependymal reaction to injury. A review. J Neuropathol Exp Neurol 54:1–15
Takano T, Uno M, Yamano T, Shimada M (1994) Pathogenesis of cerebellar deformity in experimental Chiari type I malformation caused by mumps virus. Acta Neuropathol (Berl) 87:168–173
Thompson JA (1979) Mumps: a cause of acquired aqueductal stenosis. J Pediatr 94:923–924
Viola L, Chiaretti A, Castorina M, Tortorolo L, Piastra M, Villani A, Valentini P, Polidori G (1998) Acute hydrocephalus as a consequence of mumps meningoencephalitis. Pediatr Emerg Care 14:212–214
Wolinsky JS (1977) Mumps virus induced hydrocephalus in hamsters. Ultrastructure of the chronic infection. Lab Invest 37:229–236
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Cinalli, G., Spennato, P., Ruggiero, C. et al. Aqueductal stenosis 9 years after mumps meningoencephalitis: treatment by endoscopic third ventriculostomy. Childs Nerv Syst 20, 61–64 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00381-003-0811-4
Received:
Revised:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00381-003-0811-4