THIS REPORT was prompted by the circumstance that both the patients reported had unusual clinical histories and that in both communicating hydrocephalus developed as a result of meningeal meningiomatosis. In addition, attempts were made to control the increased intracranial pressure in each instance by the use of drainage through a polyethylene tube. The character of the lesions was not revealed until necropsy. Necropsy also afforded an opportunity to study the effects of the various operative procedures which had been employed in the hope of controlling increased intracranial pressure and the communicating hydrocephalus.
It is not within the scope of this presentation to discuss the cause of hydrocephalus1 or the merits or demerits of procedures employed in attempting to control hydrocephalus of the obstructive2 or communicating type.3 Russell4 discussed the pathologic changes in this condition, and Davidoff5 reviewed the literature concerning various operative methods of treatment.