Hydrocephalus

Hydrocephalus is a condition in which there is excessive accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) within the ventricles of the brain. CSF surrounds the brain and the spinal cord and when the circulatory path gets blocked fluid begins to accumulate causing the ventricles to enlarge and the pressure inside the head to increase resulting in hydrocephalus.

Different types of hydrocephalus

There are various types of hydrocephalus

Communicating hydrocephalus

Communicating hydrocephalus occurs when the flow of CSF is blocked after it exits the ventricles. The word ‘communicating’ means that the CSF can flow between the ventricles.

Non- communicating hydrocephalus

Non-communicating hydrocephalus is also known as obstructive hydrocephalus and occurs when the flow of CSF or the passage connecting the ventricles is blocked. One of the common causes is Aqueduct stenosis which is the narrowing of a small passage between the third and fourth ventricles of the brain.

Normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH)

NPH or normal pressure hydrocephalus is a kind of communicating hydrocephalus that usually occurs in elderly people and may result from head trauma, subarachnoid hemorrhage, infection, tumor, or complications of the surgery.

Congenital hydrocephalus 

Congenital hydrocephalus is present from birth and may be caused by events or causes due to fetal developments, or genetic abnormalities.

Acquired hydrocephalus

Acquired hydrocephalus occurs at the time of birth or afterward and affects individuals of all ages and may be caused by infection, tumor, trauma or any other disease.

Hydrocephalus Ex- vacuo

Hydrocephalus ex-vacuo occurs when stroke, degenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, or any other traumatic injury occurs to the brain which results in brain tissue shrinking with relative increase in the ventricle size.

Symptoms of Hydrocephalus

Symptoms of Hydrocephalus

These symptoms aren’t normally present all at the same time and only a few symptoms of hydrocephalus are seen at a time. If you suffer from any of the above symptoms, Consult a Best Neurosurgeon in Dubai or a Neurologist for further diagnosis of trigeminal neuralgia.

Diagnosis of hydrocephalus

If suspected by the physician then one or more of the following tests are recommended to confirm the diagnosis.
Brain images to detect the enlarged ventricles-
  • MRI 
  • CT or CAT scan
CSF tests to predict the shunt responsiveness and/ or to determine shunt pressure
  • Lumbar or spinal tap- large volume
  • External lumbar drainage
  • Measurement of CSF outflow resistance

treatment Of Hydrocephalus

The most common treatment of hydrocephalus is insertion of a ventricular peritoneal shunt in which a tube is inserted into the ventricles of the brain. The other end of the tube is tunneled under the skin and inserted into the peritoneal cavity of the abdomen. Depending on the causes of hydrocephalus, some patients can be offered endoscopic ventriculostomy without a need to place shunt tube.

There are also various other options for surgery. If you have been diagnosed of hydrocephalus and have been advised surgery, please feel free to get a second opinion from the Best Neurosurgeon in Abu Dhabi.

Conditions Treated By the Best Neurosurgeon in Abu Dhabi (UAE)

Dr. Arun Rajeswaran

Consult Dr. Arun with a professional experience of more than 13 years in the field of Neurosurgery

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