Hydrocephalus Specialists in Ramanagara, Karnataka

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.

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 Ramanagara, Karnataka

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.

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