Abstract: Dandy-Walker Malformations (or cysts) are developmental malformations in which the Cerebellar Vermis may be partially or completely absent, with resulting dilation of the 4th Ventricle forming a "Cyst". It is thought that the defect arises from abnormal embryogenesis of the roof of the 4th Ventricle. A milder form is termed the "Dandy-Walker Variant". This disorder may account for approximately 5% to 10% of cases of Ventriculomegaly. This study aims to reveal particular cases of Danty Walker Cases when associated with hydrocephalus, in the African context. It is a retrospective and descriptive study carried out at the Neurosurgery department of the Friendship hospital of Kipe in Guinea for 36 months, from June 2012 to August 2015. Of the 120 patients hospitalized for hydrocephalus, 32 cases have exhibited the Dandy Walker cyst. Among the 32 patients, 15 were of male and 17 were of female gender at a sex ratio (H/F) of 0.88; 1. The dominant clinical symptoms that were observed in our subjects were macrocrania (32 cases), bulging fontanelle (25 cases), sunsetting eyes (19 cases). The degree of macrocrania was noted to be minimal in 1 case only, mild in 5 cases, moderate in 8 cases, and excessive in 18 cases. Furthermore, CT scan results showed evidence of triventricular hydrocephalus in 14 cases, and tetraventricular hydrocephalus in 18 cases. The anatomical variations encountered among others were, MDW in 15 cases, DWV in 11 cases et DWC in 6 cases. The calculated Evan’s index was equal to 0.3 in 6 patients and greater than 0.3 in 26 patients. The operative techniques most commonly widely conducted were DVP (16 caes), VCS (13 cases) and DKP (3 cases). The average duration of hospitalization was 20 days with extreme range of 1 to 49 days. The post operative period was uneventful in 16 cases, clinically unchanged in 5 cases and post operative deaths were reported in 11 cases. The principal causes of death originated from the presence co-existing infections, respiratory distress, anemia and malarial sickness.Abstract: Dandy-Walker Malformations (or cysts) are developmental malformations in which the Cerebellar Vermis may be partially or completely absent, with resulting dilation of the 4th Ventricle forming a "Cyst". It is thought that the defect arises from abnormal embryogenesis of the roof of the 4th Ventricle. A milder form is termed the "Dandy-Walker Varian...Show More
