Hydrocephalus
Treatment

Table Of Contents

• What Is Hydrocephalus?
• What Causes Hydrocephalus?
• What Are The Symptoms Of Hydrocephalus?
• How Is Hydrocephalus Diagnosed?
• What Are The Complications Of Hydrocephaly?
• What Is The Treatment For Hydrocephalus?

What is Hydrocephalus?

As the name translates, “water on the brain”, hydrocephalus is a disorder in which fluid accumulates in the skull, causing brain swelling.

CSF (cerebrospinal fluid) normally circulates within the chambers of the brain. However, the extra fluid causes these chambers to grow, putting pressure on other brain areas during hydrocephalus. This fluid build-up can cause brain injury, resulting in developmental, physical, and cognitive deficits. To avoid significant consequences, it is necessary to get treatment as soon as possible.

It is most common in children and adults over the age of 60, but it can also affect younger adults.

What Causes Hydrocephalus?

Hydrocephalus is generally caused by the imbalance between the supply and demand of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). CSF protects the brain by cushioning it and getting rid of waste products from the metabolism. It also maintains constant pressure within the brain, compensating for fluctuations in brain blood pressure.

Too much cerebrospinal fluid can accumulate in the brain for one of the following reasons:

• Obstruction: The most prevalent issue is a partial blockage of cerebrospinal fluid flow in any part of the brain.
• Poor absorption: A problem absorbing cerebrospinal fluid is less prevalent. This is frequently associated with inflammation of brain structures caused by disease or injury.
• Overproduction: Cerebrospinal fluid is rarely produced faster than it can be absorbed.

What are the Symptoms of Hydrocephalus?

The signs and symptoms of hydrocephalus differ depending on the age of onset. For newborns/infants:

• A head that is exceptionally big
• Rapid growth in the size of the head
• Sluggishness or sleepiness (lethargy)
• Seizures
• Fixed downward gaze (sunsetting of the eyes)
• Muscle tone and strength issues
• A swollen or tense soft region on the top of the head (fontanel).

For adults:

• Sluggishness
• Coordination or balance problems
• Decline in memory, focus, and other thinking skills
• Urge to urinate frequently or loss of bladder control
• Vision issues

How is Hydrocephalus Diagnosed?

The diagnostic procedure includes:

• MRI, to produce comprehensive brain images by using radio waves and a magnetic field.
• CT Scans use multiple X-Rays to produce detailed images of the brain.
• Neurological examination: A neurologist may ask questions and do simple tests in the office to assess muscle condition, mobility, well-being, and sensory function.
• Ultrasound examination to get a better look at the brain. High-frequency sound waves are used in these studies to create brain images. This ultrasonography can only be performed on newborns with an open fontanel (soft spot).
• Examination of the body: Doctors look for sunken eyes, swollen fontanel, and large skull in toddlers.

What are the Complications of Hydrocephaly?

When hydrocephalus worsens, it can lead to issues such as intellectual, developmental, and physical disabilities if not treated. It is also potentially fatal.

What is the Treatment for Hydrocephalus?

Without treatment, hydrocephalus can be fatal. Interventions may not be able to reverse all of the brain damage that has already happened, but the goal is to restore CSF flow and avoid further brain damage. The doctor may recommend one of the following surgical procedures:

• Shunt insertion: A shunt is a drainage system consisting of a long tube and a valve. The valve ensures that CSF flows at a normal rate and in the correct direction. A shunt implant is usually permanent and must be monitored regularly.
• Ventriculostomy: This procedure involves making a hole at the bottom of a ventricle or between ventricles allowing CSF to exit the brain and relieve pressure.