- Copyright 2023 NeuroCure - Konstantia Stoforou MD PhD - Neurosurgeon
HYDROCEPHALUS CSF
Hydrocephalus CSF
Hydrocephalus CSF (hydrocephalie) is a pathological condition where excessive fluid (CSF cerebrospinal fluid) is accumulated in the brain.
Frequency of occurrence of Hydrocephalus CSF
The occurrence rate of Hydrocephalus CSF is extremely high among children, whereas occurrence frequency rates among adults are not rare, and are estimated at about 1/1000 people.
This is due to an anatomical or functional abnormality which prevents the circulation of the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) – i.e. the physiological fluid produced and circulated within the brain (water on the brain), thus resulting in its accumulation and hence to the gradual increase in intracranial pressure (ICP) causing an Hydrocephalus CSF condition.
Anatomical causes of Hydrocephalus CSF
Indicatively, some of the anatomical causes include:
- congenital abnormalities.
- brain tumors.
- infections.
- meningitis.
- encephalitis.
- brain trauma.
- hemorrhage / bleeding.
This increase in intracranial pressure (ICP), causes:
- headache.
- drowsiness, sleepiness.
- nausea and vomiting.
- urinary incontinence.
- brain damage.
- visual disturbances, etc.
Hydrocephalus CSF and symptoms.
The symptoms of hydrocephalus CSF and its clinical picture depend on the age of the patient, on the cause and the extent of the damage to the brain.
Indicatevely the following are mentioned:
In infants:
- Increase of head circumference.
- stretching of the skull seams.
- irritability and excessive weeping.
- facial muscle spasticity.
- reduction of mental abilities.
- psychomotor retardation.
- insufficient development.
- reduction of mobility.
- drowsiness.
- difficulty in feeding.
- urinary incontinence.
In older children:
- headaches.
- vomiting.
- vision problems (eg strabismus, abnormal eye movements, loss of coordination of movements).
- abnormalities in walking.
- mental disturbances of confusion or psychosis.
In adults:
- intense headaches.
- vertigo.
- vision problems (changes in the visual field, papilloedema).
- reduction of cognitive abilities.
- urinary incontinence.
- difficulty in walking.
Hydrocephalus CSF and treatment
The goal of the therapeutic intervention is to reduce intracranial pressure, thus preventing any damage to the brain.
Hence, depending on the cause and gravity of the hydrocephalus CSF, the following treatment methods are recommended:
- medication to reduce the amount of discharge of the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF).
- surgical intervention either through cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) drainage via a special tube (hydrocephalus valve insertion, hydrocephalus shunt placement, brain valve, valve placement in the brain) which is placed in the ventricles of the brain and is directed to the peritoneal cavity, or via endoscopic third ventriculostomy procedure.