Restoration of the corticoreticular pathway following shunt operation for hydrocephalus in a stroke patient

RATIONALE: We report on a stroke patient who showed restoration of discontinued corticoreticular pathways (CRPs) on serial diffusion tensor tractography (DTT) concurrent with recovery of gait disturbance following shunt operation for hydrocephalus. PATIENT CONCERNS: A 67-year-old female patient underwent stereotactic drainage for management of intraventricular hemorrhage due to a rupture of the left posterior communicating artery. DIAGNOSES: After 4 weeks from onset, the patient exhibited quadriparesis with more severe weakness in the proximal muscles and could not even stand or walk. She underwent comprehensive rehabilitation for 3 weeks. Her quadriparesis, as a result of hydrocephalus, did not improve significantly. INTERVENTIONS: On the pre-op DTT, discontinuations (the right CRP: at subcortical white matter level, and the left CRP: at the midbrain level) of the CRP fibers from the premotor cortex were observed in both hemispheres. OUTCOMES: She underwent a ventriculo-peritoneal shunt operation and her quadriparesis improved, especially the proximal muscles. Consequently, she could walk with mild assistance on an even floor at 5 days and walk on stairs at 4 weeks after the shunt operation. On the post-op DTT, the discontinued CRP fibers were elongated to the premotor cortex in both hemispheres. LESSONS: Restoration of discontinued CRPs concurrent with recovery of gait disturbance following shunt operation for hydrocephalus was demonstrated in a stroke patient.