Hydrocephalus – Causes And Symptoms

What is Hydrocephalus?

Normal pressure hydrocephalus is a build-up of excessive liquid called cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) within the ventricles of the brain. Your brain is surrounded by CSF which circulates around the brain from one ventricle to another. It protects the brain and spinal cord and supplies them with nutrients, and removes its waste products. Extra fluid drains away from the brain and is absorbed by veins. Hydrocephalus happens when this natural drainage process doesn’t work right. The extra fluid causes pressure on the tissue of the brain which might damage it or causes brain function problems.

Hydrocephalus can occur at any age but it is most common in infants and adults aged 60 or older. It affects approximately two in every 1000 children born in the US (according to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Strokes – NINDS). It is often diagnosed before birth or in early childhood. In this article, we will discuss the causes and symptoms of hydrocephalus.

Causes

An imbalance between how much CSF is produced and how much is absorbed into the bloodstream causes hydrocephalus. Although the reason for this imbalance is unknown, developmental or medical problems like spina bifida, brain tumors, head injuries, or diseases such as meningitis can cause or trigger hydrocephalus. It can also be inherited genetically. Hydrocephalus can be categorized as follows:

• Acquired Hydrocephalus: It develops at birth or in adulthood caused by an injury or disease.

• Congenital Hydrocephalus: It is present at the time of birth and may be caused by genetic abnormalities or improper fetal development.

• Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus: It can occur at any age but is most common in people aged 60 and above.

• Communicating Hydrocephalus: This occurs when there is no blockage to the flow of CSF within the ventricular system. 

• Obstructive Hydrocephalus: It occurs when the flow of CSF is blocked along the passages connecting ventricles causing an increase in pressure.

• Hydrocephalus Ex-vacuo: It occurs when a degenerative disease like Alzheimer’s disease causes damage to the brain and may shrink brain tissues.

Symptoms

The symptoms of hydrocephalus depend on age and vary from person to person. Some of the symptoms according to different age groups include:

• Infants:

• • • Vomiting
    • Seizures
    • Unusually large head size
    • Prominent scalp veins
    • Downward deviation of eyes
    • Sleepiness

• Children and Adolescents:

• • • Inability to concentrate
    • Nausea and vomiting
    • Blurred vision
    • Poor appetite
    • Seizures
    • Urinary incontinence

• Adults:

• • Nausea and vomiting
  • Headache
  • Lethargy
  • Bladder incontinence
  • Memory loss
  • Mild dementia
  • Impaired vision
  • Loss of balance and coordination

Looking for help?

If you are someone experiencing any of the above-mentioned symptoms and looking for the best neurosurgeon in California? Dr. Moksha Ranasinghe at Southern California Brain & Spine Surgery can assist you. She is a board-certified neurosurgeon by the American Board of Neurological Surgeons with years of medical training in the diagnosis and treatment of brain and spinal disorders. She is very transparent about the treatment and will walk you through the procedure step by step. Call now at (213) 369-4583 or visit their website to schedule an appointment.