Hydrocephalus

Eve, May, Jenny, Mix, Earl, Nut 1101

What is Hydrocephalus?
An abnormality when there are excess CSF in the brain and
cant be released out
Cause increasing in intracranial pressure
Can leads to enlargement of the head in child
Can occur at any age but more common among infants and
older adults

Causes of Hydrocephalus
Hydrocephalus is caused by a disequilibrium of forces at the
ventricular-cerebral interface and may be progressive either due to a
continued disequilibrium of forces or due to continued progressive
periventricular ischemic injury.
Ventricular-cerebral interface = the ventricles in the cerebral hemisphere.
Periventricular = around ventricles
Ischemic injury = resulting from vasoconstriction

Causes of Hydrocephalus
Genetic problems
Problems with how the fetus develops
Head injuries
Infections
Tumors
Bleeding in the brain

Types of Hydrocephalus
Congenital hydrocephalus
Present at birth
Caused by:
physical problems with the flow of CSF
infections
trauma during fetal development
teratogens

Types of Hydrocephalus
Acquired hydrocephalus
Develops after birth
Can be caused by meningitis, bleeding, injury, or tumor

Types of Hydrocephalus
Normal-pressure hydrocephalus
Develops in people whose ages are over 55
Often occurs after head trauma, infections,
bleeding in the brain, and injury

Types of Hydrocephalus
Ex-vacuo hydrocephalus
Occurs when brain is damaged by stroke or traumatic
injury
Not harm for health in some people

Symptoms
Headache
Vomiting and nausea
Blurry vision
Balance problems
Bladder control problems
Thinking and memory problems

Treatment

Congenital and acquired hydrocephalus

need prompt treatment to reduce the pressure on their brain
Both will be treated with either shunt surgery or neuroendoscopy

Normal pressure hydrocephalus

can sometimes be treated with a shunt
need tests to assess whether the potential benefits of surgery
outweigh the risks

Treatment
Shunt surgery
involves implanting a thin tube called a shunt
the shunt has a valve inside to control the flow of CSF and ensure it
doesn't drain too quickly
CSF runs through the shunt to another part of the body (usually the
abdomen)
the fluid is absorbed into your bloodstream

Treatment
Endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV)
Is an alternative procedure to shunt surgery
ETV involves making a hole in the floor of the brain to allow the trapped
CSF to escape to the surface of the brain
Is not suitable for everyone
The CSF will be able to drain through the hole

References
http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hydrocephalus/basics/de
finition/con-20030706
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/hydrocephalus.html
http://kidshealth.org/parent/medical/brain/hydrocephalus.html
https://myhealth.alberta.ca/health/Pages/conditions.aspx?hwid=ue5427
http://www.ana-neurosurgery.com/types-hydrocephalus/

Thank You