Hydrocephalus (water On The Brain) Hydrocephalus - Also Known As

Hydrocephalus (Water on the Brain) Hydrocephalus - also known as water on the brain, developmental (congenital) or acquired condition in which there is an abnormal accumulation of body fluids within the skull. The congenital form may be associated with other abnormalities. The acquired form may follow meningitis or another cerebral inflammation or tumor. The Read More... Hydrocephalus - also known as water on the brain, developmental (congenital) or acquired condition in which there is an abnormal accumulation of body fluids within the skull. The congenital form may be associated with other abnormalities. The acquired form may follow meningitis or another cerebral inflammation or tumor. The accumulation of fluid causes compression of the brain and enlargement of the skull, sometimes with separation of bone structures. Paralysis and death may result or, at the least, mental retardation. Many forms of therapy, including surgery, have been attempted, but usually without much success in extreme cases. The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition Copyright© 2004, Columbia University Press. Licensed from Lernout & Hauspie Speech Products N.V. All rights reserved. Treatment Treatment for hydrocephalus aims firstly to ease the CSF build-up, and then to ensure that the same situation does not recur. To do this usually requires surgery to insert a ‘Shunt System’, which eases the build-up of CSF. There are two types of shunt systems that are may be implemented: A Direct shunt bypasses a blockage and enables CSF to continue to flow within existing channels. A direct shunt is less common. A direct shunt may involve making a hole in the third ventricle to allow CSF to flow, or, using a catheter to divert CSF from the ventricles to the subarachnoid space. An Indirect shunt diverts CSF out of the cranial or spinal cavity and drains back into another part of the body. An indirect shunt is used in most cases. There are a number of styles of indirect shunts, which divert CSF flow from the brain or spinal cord to the abdomen, or a chamber of the heart or lung cavity to drain and be absorbed into the bloodstream. An indirect shunt usually consists of a ventricular or lumbar catheter (a fine tube which is inserted into the ventricle), a valve to release the fluid and, a distal catheter (a fine tube which is tunnelled under the skin to another part of the body). Prognosis The prognosis for a patient with Hydrocephalus is dependent on individual symptoms, timeliness of diagnosis and how the patient reacts to treatment. Most hydrocephalus patients lead long, problem-free lives. However, left untreated, progressive hydrocephalus is generally fatal. If a patient’s hydrocephalus is treated with the implementation of a shunt system, their prognosis depends on how their body accepts the system. The main complications experienced with shunt systems are blockage, disconnection and infection. Blockage – tissue, or blood, protein, cells or debris may block any part of the shunt system. If the valve part of the shunt malfunctions, this may also result in blockage. Most shunts become blocked over 5-10 years. Treatment of a blocked shunt system may require replacement of the whole shunt system. Disconnection – may result at a join within the shunt. May also result if the shunt migrates (moves) within the body. Infection – usually a result of bacteria, which may be introduced in surgery, can also result from another source of infection within the body. It may be necessary to replace the infected shunt. Less common complications from shunt procedures include: hemorrhage – during surgery, ventricular catheters that break off and are difficult to retrieve which may lead to infection, and seizures, fits or even epilepsy. It is important to note that most hydrocephalus sufferers lead trouble-free lives. Up to 10% of patients even become independent of their shunt.