The Natural History of Hydrocephalus: Detailed Analysis of 182 Unoperated Cases

Abstract

Few sights are more distressing than a child with severe hydrocephalus associated with mental and physical defect. These cases, and clinical accounts based on highly selected series, are probably respon- sible for the depressing descriptions found in most standard textbooks. Earlier one of the authors (K.M.L.), presenting the preliminary results of an investigation on the natural history of hydrocephalus, suggested that the outlook in this con- dition was not without hope (Laurence, 1958). After further study those results have been reassessed and presented in greater detail.