Hydrocephalus is a condition where there is an abnormal accumulation of CSF in the brain. CSF, or Cerebral Spinal Fluid, is a clear liquid that flows through the cavities of your brain and spine. This fluid provides your cells with nutrients and helps remove waste from your brain. It can be congenital present at or before birth or acquired during the early stages of development.
There are several different types of hydrocephalus, but they all have a common cause: obstruction. When this obstruction is present, the brain has to work around it, causing a build-up of CSF at that point. A build-up of fluid in your brain makes your skull bones thicker and pressures the surrounding brain tissue. This can cause several problems, depending on what types of cells are affected most.
A neurologist specializing in hydrocephalus in Oxnard can recommend several different kinds of treatment depending on the type, cause, and severity.
Symptoms
Depending on whether the fluid is pushing against surrounding tissues, cells or pushing inward and squishing brain tissue, different symptoms may appear. They can vary from patient to patient.
Usually, you may experience headaches that can vary in severity and frequency but can be debilitating.
If there is too much pressure on your brain stem, nausea and vomiting may occur often. Many patients with hydrocephalus will report that they are tired all of the time or need to nap often.
If the increase in pressure affects the memory center of your brain, short-term memory loss can occur. You may have difficulty finding words or recalling specific memories or information. You may also experience vision problems if it affects your optic nerves.
Causes
There are several causes of this condition, but some common ones include:
Congenital malformations that come in different types can contribute to hydrocephalus commonly found in;
- Neural tube defects (incomplete closing of the vertebrae)
- Arnold-Chiari Malformation I and II ( herniation of your cerebellum through the bottom of your skull )
- Dandy-Walker Malformation ( fluid build-up where the brain and spinal cord meet )
An acquired hydrocephalus can result from meningitis ( an infection in the meninges ), tumors, brain injuries, like a stroke or head trauma, or an AVM, an abnormal cluster of blood vessels.
Treatment
If a doctor diagnoses you with hydrocephalus, they will suggest a treatment plan that best fits your needs. Treatment can happen through several different types of procedures. You may have to try out other options until you find the one that works best for you.
The first treatment is called a Ventriculoperitoneal Shunt. This type of shunt is where a surgeon inserts a catheter into your brain, usually through your skull. The catheter then drains the fluid into your abdomen, where your bloodstream absorbs it. This is a prevalent procedure and has a high success rate.
Another type of treatment is called the third ventriculostomy. It uses a laser to make a hole in the floor of your third ventricle, usually through your nose or skull. The hole allows the fluid to drain more efficiently.
To summarize, hydrocephalus is a condition where there is an abnormal accumulation of CSF in the brain. A neurologist can recommend a third ventriculostomy or ventriculoperitoneal shunt or both as a mode of treatment.
