Postoperative fatal hypothermia in hydranencephaly with pre-operative hypothermia and a nerve palsy: a case report and review of the literature.

Abstract

Hydranencephaly is a rare condition characterised by complete or near complete absence of the cerebral hemispheres within relatively normal sized meninges and skull, the resulting cavity being filled with cerebrospinal fluid. The following is a case report of a five month old hydranencephalic child with right upper motor facial nerve palsy who presented with signs of hydrocephalus who developed intractable hypothermia rapidly post ventriculo-peritoneal shunt insertion and demised. Her preoperative condition was associated with hypothermia.