What is Hydrocephalus?
Hydrocephalus is most often treated with the
surgical placement of a shunt is a condition in
which the primary characteristic is excessive accumulation of fluid
in the brain. Although
hydrocephalus was once known as "water on the brain," the "water" is
actually cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) -- a clear fluid surrounding the brain
and spinal cord. The excessive accumulation of CSF results in an abnormal
dilation of the spaces in the brain called ventricles. This dilation
causes potentially harmful pressure on the tissues of the brain. Hydrocephalus
may be congenital or acquired. Congenital hydrocephalus is present at
birth and may be caused by either environmental influences or genetic
predisposition. Acquired hydrocephalus develops at the time of birth
or at some point afterward. Acquired hydrocephalus can affect individuals
of all ages and may be caused by injury or disease. The causes of hydrocephalus
are not all well understood. Symptoms of hydrocephalus vary with age,
disease progression, and individual differences in tolerance to CSF.
In infancy, the most obvious indication of hydrocephalus is often the
rapid increase in head circumstance or an unusually large head size.
In older children and adults, symptoms may include headache followed
by vomiting, nausea, papilledema (swelling of the optic disk, which is
part of the optic nerve), downward deviation of the eyes (called "sunsetting"),
problems with balance, poor coordination, gait disturbance, urinary
incontinence, slowing or loss of development, lethargy, drowsiness,
irritability, or
other changes in personality or cognition, including memory loss. Hydrocephalus
is diagnosed through clinical neurological evaluation and by using
cranial imaging techniques such as ultrasonography, computer tomography
(CT),
magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), or pressure-monitoring techniques.
Is there any treatment?
Hydrocephalus is most often treated with the
surgical placement of a shunt system. This system diverts the flow of
CSF from a site within the central nervous system to another area of
the body where it can be absorbed as part of the circulatory process.
A shunt is a flexible but study silastic tube. A limited number of patients
can be treated with an alternative procedure called third ventriculostomy.
In this procedure, a small hole is made in the floor of the third ventricle,
allowing the CSF to bypass the obstruction and flow toward the site
of resorption around the surface of the brain.
What is the prognosis?
The prognosis for patients diagnosed with hydrocephalus
is difficult to predict, although there is some correlation between
the specific cause of hydrocephalus and the patient's outcome. Prognosis
is further complicated by the presence of associated disorders, the
timeliness of diagnosis, and the success of treatment. Affected individuals
and their families should be aware that hydrocephalus poses risks to
both cognitive and physical development. Treatment by an interdisciplinary
team of medical professionals, rehabilitation specialists, and educational
experts is critical to a positive outcome. Many children diagnosed with
the disorder benefit from rehabilitation therapies and educational interventions,
and go on to lead normal lives with few limitations.
This information was provided by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. You can access their web site for more information by clicking the link below.
Advice on the treatment or care of an individual patient should be obtained through consultation with a physician who has examined that patient or is familiar with that patient’s medical history. Persons with Spina Bifida are urged to discuss their particular symptoms and situations with their personal physician.
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