HYDROCEPHALUS

Hydrocephalus is a condition in which an abnormal amount of fluid in the brain causes compression of the brain. In Latin, hydro means "water" and "cephalus" means head. People commonly refer to hydrocephalus as "water on the brain." The water is actually cerebrospinal fluid, the clear fluid that surrounds the brain and spinal cord. A blockage prevents the cerebrospinal fluid from being absorbed. This causes swelling of the spaces in the brain called the ventricles. The ventricles swell or dilate causing harmful pressure on the tissues of the brain. This pressure may destroy brain tissue and result in brain damage. Hydrocephalus occurs most often in newborns. In adults, hydrocephalus can happen after a head injury or when there is a tumor, infection or bleeding anywhere in the brain.

We all produce cerebrospinal fluid that flows around the brain and spinal cord. Every day, we produce and reabsorb more fluid than the amount present at any moment. One cause of hydrocephalus is a block in the flow of this fluid. Another is a problem absorbing the fluid.

The symptoms of hydrocephalus in newborns are:

a bulging soft spot on the top of the head (the anterior fontanel)
an unusually large head
vomiting, sleepiness, and irritability
seizures
downward deviation of the eyes and
developmental delays

The symptoms of hydrocephalus in older children and adults include:

problems with balance, coordination, or walking
headache followed by vomiting
blurred or double vision and
drowsiness, irritability, or changes in personality

Treatment:

When there is a blockage and the cerebrospinal fluid cannot be absorbed, sometimes doctors wait to see if the fluid can be absorbed. Sometimes doctors do repeated spinal taps (lumbar punctures) to remove the extra cerebrospinal fluid. Other times, surgery is the only treatment. The surgeon usually places a tube, called a shunt, from the base of the brain to the abdomen or blood vessels near the heart. This allows the extra fluid to drain. For a child, repeat surgery will be needed as they grow in order to lengthen the shunt tube.

Complications:

Hydrocephalus may be mild or severe. If a child is born with hydrocephalus, there may also be severe brain damage and physical handicaps. For children and adults the complications of hydrocephalus are different for each person. These may include:

problems with intelligence
neurological damage causing physical or sensory problems
problems with the shunt plugging up and
infections in the brain from the shunt

Families who have a loved one with hydrocephalus may need counseling or support. There are professional services available including public health agencies, social services and other agencies for care and support. For more information, contact the Hydrocephalus Association at (888) 598-3789 or visit their website at www.hydroassoc.org.

Disclaimer: This content is reviewed periodically and is subject to change as new health information becomes available. The information provided is intended to be informative and educational and is not a replacement for professional medical evaluation, advice, diagnosis or treatment by a healthcare professional.

HIL File NEUR3531.RF2 VRS# 5506 Data Version 7.0