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Hydrocephalus

Hydrocephalus. By: Abraham De La Garza and Liana Sencion. What is Hydrocephalus?.

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Hydrocephalus

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  1. Hydrocephalus By: Abraham De La Garza and Liana Sencion

  2. What is Hydrocephalus? • The term hydrocephalus is derived from the Greek words “hydro” meaning water and “cephalus” meaning head. As the name implies, it is a condition in which the primary characteristic is excessive accumulation of fluid in the brain. The excessive accumulation of (CSF) cerebrospinal fluid results in an abnormal dilatation of the spaces in the brain called ventricles. This dilatation causes potentially harmful pressure on the tissue of the brain.

  3. Types of hydrocephalus Hydrocephalus may be congenital or acquired. Congenital hydrocephalus is present at birth, and may be caused be either environmental influences during fetal development or genetic predisposition. Acquired hydrocephalus develops at the time of birth or at some point afterwards. This type can affect individuals of all ages and may be caused by injury or disease.

  4. Other types of Hydrocephalus Two other forms of hydrocephalus which don’t fit distinctly into those categories are hydrocephalus ex-vacuo, and normal pressure hydrocephalus. * Ex-vacuo occurs when there is damage to the brain caused by stroke of a traumatic injury. * Normal pressure hydrocephalus commonly occurs in the elderly, due to aging.

  5. Causes of Hydrocephalus Hydrocephalus is the result when the flow of CSF is disrupted when your body doesn't absorb it properly. CSF provides a number of important functions, including acting as a cushion for protection and transporting nutrients to the brain. There are two main causes; obstructive and non-obstructive.

  6. Obstructive (non-communicating) This type of hydrocephalus results from an obstruction within the ventricular system of the brain that prevents CSF from flowing or “communicating” within the brain. The most common type is a narrowing of a channel in the brain that connects two ventricles together.

  7. Non-obstructive (communicating) This type results from problems with the production or absorption of CSF. The most common is caused by bleeding into the subarachnoid space in the brain.

  8. Early symptoms (infants) * Enlargement of the head * Bulging fontanels * Sutures are separated * Vomiting

  9. Late symptoms * Decreased mental function * Delayed movements * Difficulty feeding * Excessive sleepiness * Brief, shrill, high-pitched cry * Slow growth (0-5 years)

  10. Diagnosis Tapping with the fingertips on the skull may show abnormal sounds associated with thinning and separation of skull bones. Scalp veins may appear dilated. Eyes are depressed.

  11. Tests Tran illumination Head CT scan Lumbar punctures (spinal taps) Skull X-rays Echoencephalogram

  12. Treatment The main goal is to minimize or prevent brain damage by improving CSF flow. Surgical interventions are the primary treatment, including direct removal of the obstruction, if possible. A surgical shunt within the brain may allow CSF to bypass the obstructed area, if obstruction cannot be removed.

  13. Before and After

  14. The End

  15. Works Cited Christiansen, Colleen. 2003. Understanding Hydrocephalus:A Review of Diagnosis and Management Strategies. www.health.yahoo.com www.mayoclinic.com

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