What is Hydrocephalus?

Hydrocephaly is an abnormal accumulation of fluid in your brain. Hydrocephaly was once known as "water on the brain." “Water” is actually a cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is a transparent and colorless fluid surrounding your brain and spinal cord.

Typically, cerebrospinal fluid flows through the areas of your brain called ventricles. The cerebrospinal fluid serves as a system for the introduction of nutrients and the elimination of waste for your brain. The cerebrospinal fluid bathes your brain and spinal cord, protecting them and damaging them from injuries. The cerebrospinal fluid is then reabsorbed in your blood circulation.

Your body, as a rule, produces a cerebrospinal fluid in which it needs every day, and then reabsorbs the same amount. However, when the normal flow or absorption of cerebrospinal fluid is blocked, this can cause the accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid. As the spinal fluid accumulates, it causes an increase in the ventricle. This increases the pressure in your head. The pressure of the too large amount of cerebrospinal fluid can prevent your brain from working correctly.

What are the different types of hydrocephalus?

Four main types of hydrocephalus are communicating hydrocephalus, non-communicating hydrocephalus, normal pressure hydrocephalus and hydrocephalus ex-vacuo.

Communicating hydrocephalus occurs when the flow of cerebrospinal fluid is blocked after leaving the ventricle. This type of hydrocephalus may be the result of a thickening of a membrane at the base of your brain called arahoid. This lock prevents a free flow of cerebrospinal fluid. This type of hydrocephalus is called a connection, because the spinal fluid can always flow between your ventricles that remain open.
Non-communicating hydrocephalus is also known as obstructive hydrocephalus. Non-communicating hydrocephalus occurs when the flow of cerebrospinal fluid is blocked along one or more narrow passages connecting your ventricles.
Normal pressure hydrocephalus occurs when the accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid causes the expansion of your ventricles, but there is practically no increase in pressure. The difference between hydrocephalus of normal pressure and other types of hydrocephalus is that even if there is a large value than normal, from the spinal fluid, the pressure inside your ventricles remains the same. The accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid in the ventricles occurs slowly, and symptoms occur over time. Normal pressure of hydrocephalus is most often found in older people.
Hydrocephalus ex-vacuo occurs as a result of brain lesions caused by head injury or vascular accidents of the head. In these cases, brain tissues around your ventricles are reduced. Cerebrospinal fluid accumulates in your ventricles to fill additional space. Your ventricles are increased, but the pressure in your head is usually normal.

Another word that you can see or hear when learning hydrocephalus is ventriculomegaly. Ventriculomegaly is a term used to increase the ventricle of the fetal brain. Hydrocephaly can cause ventriculomegaly, but there are other reasons why this increase can occur.

What causes hydrocephalus?

Hydrocephaly can develop for several reasons. Hydrocephaly can be congenital or acquired.

The combination of genetic factors and environmental factors during the development of the fetus causes congenital hydrocephalus. "Congenital" means the presence of birth. The most common causes of congenital hydrocephalus are:

Spina bifida and other defects in the brain and spinal cord (neural tube).
A narrowing of the small passage between the third and fourth ventricles of your brain (aqueductal stenosis).
Premature complications at birth, such as bleeding in the ventricles.
Infections during pregnancy, such as rubella, which can cause inflammation of the brain.

The acquired hydrocephalus develops at any time after birth and can affect people of all ages. The most common causes of the acquired hydrocephalus are:

Head trauma.
Stroke.
Brain or spinal cord tumors.
Meningitis or other infections of your brain or spinal cord.

In addition, the hemorrhage or complications of surgery can cause normal hydrocephalus. Many people develop the normal pressure of the hydropolis without an obvious reason.

What are the symptoms of hydrocephalus?

Symptoms of hydrocephalus vary depending on age. It can also depend on how far along the disease (progression of the disease). It also varies depending on how a person suffers the accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid.

Symptoms in infants may include:

Unusually large head.
Bulging soft spot (fontanel) on top of your baby’s head.
Downward gaze of your baby’s eyes (sun-setting eyes).
Vomiting.
Sleepiness.

Symptoms in older children may include:

Headache.
Nausea and vomiting.
Vision problems.
Developmental delays.

Symptoms in adults may include:

Headache.
Nausea and vomiting.
Vision problems.
Feeling tired.
Problems with balance and coordination.
Short-term memory loss.

Symptoms in older adults may include:

Problems walking (gait disturbances).
Mild dementia.
Forgetfulness
Loss of bladder control.

How is hydrocephalus diagnosed?

Hydrocephaly is diagnosed with a neurological assessment. Your doctor can use the methods of visualization of the brain, such as ultrasound, computed tomography or MRI.

Other tests are often carried out in adults to diagnose the condition. These tests may include:

Spinal tap (lumbar puncture).
Intracranial pressure monitoring, which uses a small pressure monitor inserted into your brain to measure pressure.
Fundoscopic exam, which uses a special device to view your optic nerve at the back of your eye.

Can hydrocephalus go away on its own?

No. If it does not heal, hydrocephalus can be deadly. Early diagnosis and successful treatment improve the chances of good recovery.

Is hydrocephalus treatable?

Yes. Hydrocephalus is treatable. Although at present there is no way to prevent or cure hydrocephalus, this condition can be treated with the help of surgery.

How is hydrocephalus treated?

Currently, the only way to treat hydrocephalus is the brain surgery. There are two types of brain operations used to treat hydrocephalus:

Shunt. The most common type of treatment of hydrocephalus is the surgical placement of a medical device called a shunt. Shunt is a flexible tube that is placed in your brain. It drains excess cerebrospinal fluid in another area of your body, where it can be absorbed.
Endoscopic third ventriculostomy: a small hole is made with this operation on the ground of your third ventricle. This creates a method, so that the spinal fluid flows in your brain and around it, as usual. This procedure is usually carried out in children over 2 years old.

What are the complications of hydrocephalus treatment?

Many people have been doing decades without complications, but everything can change quickly. People with shunts should receive regular medical examinations. Shunts can break, tolerate or become infected. If this happens, another brain operation is needed. The third endoscopic ventricleostomy can be closed at any time and put a person in danger.

You must ask for help from your doctor whether symptoms develop a discount of failure or endoscopic closure of the third gastric. These symptoms may include those that are similar to hydrocephalus, such as: