What follow-up care is recommended for patients who have undergone treatment for hydrocephalus?

Follow-up care for patients treated for hydrocephalus involves agreeing and documenting a personalised follow-up care plan with the patient, including providing a paper copy to the patient and their family or carers if appropriate, and detailing contact information for ongoing specialist advice and support.

This follow-up care plan should be included in the patient's medical record and discharge correspondence to ensure continuity of care.

Rehabilitation should be offered in line with NICE guidelines on stroke rehabilitation and rehabilitation after critical illness, tailored to the patient's needs.

Consideration should be given to follow-up neuroimaging based on the extent of the patient's recovery and the appropriateness of further imaging to monitor for complications or progression.

Monitoring for neurological deterioration is important, and if unexplained deterioration occurs, a non-contrast CT head scan should be offered as the first diagnostic investigation.

For patients with persistent or progressive symptoms of chronic hydrocephalus, drainage or permanent diversion of cerebrospinal fluid may be considered, with a trial of temporary drainage if the benefit of permanent diversion is uncertain.