Hydrocephalus Specialists in Telangana
Hydrocephalus is a condition characterized by an abnormal accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid within the brain's ventricles, causing them to enlarge and exert p…
Health Conditions A–Z
LabDekho500+ Diseases & Conditions Explained
Understand symptoms, causes, treatment options and prevention for hundreds of conditions — written for patients, reviewed for accuracy.
What is Hydrocephalus?
Hydrocephalus is a condition characterized by an abnormal accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid within the brain's ventricles, causing them to enlarge and exert pressure on surrounding brain tissue. It can be present at birth, known as congenital hydrocephalus, or develop later in life due to injury, infection, tumour, or bleeding that disrupts the normal production, flow, or absorption of cerebrospinal fluid. In infants, the buildup of pressure can cause visible enlargement of the head, while in older children and adults it more commonly causes symptoms related to raised intracranial pressure. Left untreated, it can cause progressive and potentially permanent brain damage.
Severe
Uncommon — congenital hydrocephalus affects roughly 1 in 1,000 live births, with additional cases acquired later in life
No
Causes of Hydrocephalus
Can result from an obstruction blocking the normal flow of cerebrospinal fluid, such as a tumour or congenital malformation, or from impaired absorption of the fluid, often following infection like meningitis or bleeding within the brain. Congenital causes include genetic conditions and neural tube defects, while acquired causes in adults include head injury, brain tumours, and subarachnoid hemorrhage. The resulting fluid buildup increases pressure within the rigid confines of the skull.
Symptoms of Hydrocephalus
In infants: an unusually large head, bulging soft spot, vomiting, irritability, and poor feeding; in older children and adults: headache, nausea and vomiting, blurred or double vision, difficulty walking or balance problems, urinary incontinence, cognitive decline, and drowsiness
Treatment & Types of Hydrocephalus in Telangana
The standard treatment is surgical placement of a shunt system, a thin tube that diverts excess cerebrospinal fluid from the brain to another part of the body where it can be safely absorbed. An alternative procedure, endoscopic third ventriculostomy, creates a new pathway for fluid drainage in select cases without an implanted device. Ongoing monitoring is required since shunts can become blocked or infected and may need revision over time.
Hydrocephalus is classified as communicating, where cerebrospinal fluid flows freely between the brain's ventricles but is poorly absorbed, or non-communicating (obstructive), where a physical blockage prevents fluid from flowing between ventricles. It is also described as congenital, present at birth, or acquired, developing later due to infection, injury, tumour, or bleeding, with normal-pressure hydrocephalus being a distinct form seen mainly in older adults causing gait, memory, and bladder problems despite normal fluid pressure.
Neurosurgery Specialists in Telangana (0)
No specialists listed yet in Telangana — browse all doctors instead.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is hydrocephalus curable?
There's no cure that restores normal fluid regulation, but a shunt or alternative drainage procedure effectively manages the condition long-term, allowing most people to live full lives with ongoing monitoring.
Will my child need the shunt replaced over time?
Yes, shunts can become blocked, infected, or need adjustment as a child grows, so ongoing follow-up with a neurosurgeon is necessary throughout childhood and sometimes into adulthood.
What are warning signs that a shunt might be malfunctioning?
Headache, vomiting, irritability, drowsiness, or a return of earlier hydrocephalus symptoms can indicate shunt blockage or infection and need prompt medical evaluation.
What is normal-pressure hydrocephalus?
It's a form seen mainly in older adults that causes a distinctive triad of gait difficulty, memory problems, and urinary incontinence despite normal fluid pressure readings, and can improve significantly with shunt surgery when correctly diagnosed.
Can hydrocephalus be detected before birth?
Yes, significant congenital hydrocephalus is often detected on a prenatal ultrasound, allowing delivery to be planned at a centre with paediatric neurosurgical support.