Hydrocephalus : (noun)
1: an abnormal condition in which cerebrospinal fluid collects
in the ventricles of the brain; in infants it can cause
abnormally rapid growth of the head and bulging
fontanelles and a small face; in adults the symptoms are
primarily neurological [syn: hydrocephaly]
Based on WordNet 2.0
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Hydrocephalus : \Hy`dro*ceph"a*lus\, n. [NL., fr. Gr. ?
hydrocephalus; "y`dwr water _ ? head.] (Med.)
An accumulation of liquid within the cavity of the cranium,
especially within the ventricles of the brain; dropsy of the
brain. It is due usually to tubercular meningitis. When it
occurs in infancy, it often enlarges the head enormously.
Based on Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
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Hydrocephalus : What is hydrocephalus?
Hydrocephalus is an abnormal accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in the brain. The fluid (the CSF) is often under increased pressure which can
compress (squeeze) and damage the brain.
Hydrocephalus is sometimes familiarly called "water on the brain." (The word "hydrocephalus" in Greek literally means "watery head.")
When does hydrocephalus occur?
Hydrocephalus can arise before birth or at any time afterward.
What causes hydrocephalus?
Hydrocephalus can be due to many causes including a birth defect, hemorrhage into the brain, infection, meningitis, tumor, or head injury. Most forms of
hydrocephalus are the result of an obstructed flow of CSF in the ventricles (normal cavities) in the center of the brain. With birth defects , the physical obstruction of CSF flow through the
ventricles is usually the cause of the hydrocephalus. Hydrocephalus is a common companion of a birth defect called spina bifida (meningomyelocele).
What is hydrocephalus ex-vacuo?
Hydrocephalus ex-vacuo involves the presence of too much CSF, although the CSF pressure itself is normal. This condition occurs when there is
damage to the brain caused by stroke or injury, and there may be an actual shrinkage of brain substance.
What is normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH)?
Normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH) is usually due to a gradual blockage of the CSF drainage pathways in the brain. NPH is an unusual
cause of dementia which can occur as a complication of brain infection or bleeding (hemorrhage). In some patients, no predisposing cause can be identified.
In patients with NPH, although the ventricles enlarge, the pressure of the CSF remains within normal range.
NPH is characterized by gradual memory loss (dementia), balance disorder (ataxia), urine incontinence, and a general slowing of activity. Symptoms progressively worsen over weeks. In some patients,
an improvement of symptoms is noted immediately after the removal of spinal fluid with a lumbar puncture procedure.
What is the spinal fluid situation with age or Alzheimer's disease?
In old age or persons with Alzheimer's disease , the entire brain may shrink and the CSF fill up the space
created by the shrinkage. This is not due to hydrocephalus or related to it.
What are the signs and symptoms of hydrocephalus?
The signs and symptoms of hydrocephalus depend upon the age of the person. - In infants, the most obvious sign of
hydrocephalus is usually an abnormally large head. This occurs because of the constant outward pressure on the brain and skull from the hydrocephalus during the development and growth of the head.
(That is one reason a baby's head should be measured at every well-baby visit).
The symptoms of hydrocephalus in an infant may include vomiting, sleepiness, irritability, an inability to look upwards, and seizures. - In older children and adults, there is no head
enlargement from hydrocephalus (because the skull bones are all fused together and cannot permit the enlargement). Symptoms of the condition may include headache, nausea, vomiting and, sometimes,
blurred vision. There may be problems with balance and coordination, and delayed development in walking or talking in young children.
Irritability, fatigue, seizures, and personality changes
such as an inability to concentrate or remember things may also develop. Drowsiness and double vision are common symptoms as hydrocephalus progresses.
How is hydrocephalus treated?
The treatment of hydrocephalus involves surgical insertion of a shunt to allow drainage of the excess fluid and relieve the pressure on the brain.
The shunt is a flexible, plastic tube with a one-way valve. The shunt is inserted into the ventricular system of the brain to divert the flow of CSF into another area of the body, where the CSF can
drain and be absorbed into the bloodstream.
What is the prognosis (outlook) with hydrocephalus?
The prognosis (outlook) with hydrocephalus depends on the cause and the timing of the diagnosis and treatment. Many children
treated for hydrocephalus are able to lead normal lives with few, if any, limitations. In some cases, cognitive impairment in language and non- language functions may occur. Problems with shunt
infection or malfunction may require surgical revision of the shunt.
Can_hydrocephalus_be_cured?__
No,_but_the_condition_can_usually_be_held_effectively_under_control._Hydrocephalus_At_A_Glance"> Can hydrocephalus be cured?
No, but the condition can usually be held effectively under control. - Hydrocephalus is
an abnormal accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in the brain.
- The CSF in hydrocephalus can compress and damage the brain.
- Hydrocephalus can occur before or after birth.
- In infants, the key sign of hydrocephalus is an abnormally large head.
- In older children and adults, symptoms of hydrocephalus include headache, nausea, vomiting, and blurred vision.
- Treatment of hydrocephalus involves surgical insertion of a shunt to allow drainage of the excess CSF and relieve the pressure on the brain.
Based on University of Miami School of Medicine [Medical_Dictionary]:
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Hydrocephalus : Hydrocephalus: Hydrocephalus is an abnormal buildup of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in the ventricles of the brain. The fluid is often under increased pressure and can compress and damage the
brain.
Hydrocephalus can arise before birth or any time afterward. It may be due to many causes including a birth defect, hemorrhage into the brain, infection, meningitis, tumor, or head injury. Most forms
of hydrocephalus are the result of obstructed CSF flow in the ventricular system. With birth defects , physical obstruction of CSF flow in the ventricular system is usually the cause of the
hydrocephalus. Hydrocephalus is a common companion of spina bifida (meningomyelocele).
What is termed "hydrocephalus ex-vacuo" occurs when there is damage to the brain caused by stroke or injury, and there may be an actual shrinkage of brain substance. "Hydrocephalus ex-vacuo" is
essentially only hydrocephalus by default; the CSF pressure itself is normal.
Normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH) can also occur due to a gradual blockage of the CSF drainage pathways in the brain. Although the ventricles enlarge, the pressure of the CSF remains within normal
range. NPH is characterized by memory loss ( { urinary incontinence and a general slowing of activity.
In old age or persons with Alzheimer's disease, the entire brain may shrink and the CSF fills up the space created by the shrinkage. This is not due to hydrocephalus.
The diagnostic signs and symptoms of hydrocephalus depend upon the age of the person: - In infants the most obvious sign of hydrocephalus is usually an abnormally large head. (That is one
reason a baby's head should be measured at every well-baby visit). Symptoms of hydrocephalus in an infant may include vomiting, sleepiness, irritability, an inability to look upwards, and
seizures.
- In older children and adults there is no head enlargement from hydrocephalus, but symptoms may include headache, nausea, vomiting and, sometimes, blurred vision. There may be
problems with balance, delayed development in walking or talking, and poor coordination.
Irritability, fatigue, seizures, and personality changes such as an inability to concentrate or
remember things may also develop. Drowsiness and double vision are common symptoms as hydrocephalus progresses.
Treatment of hydrocephalus involves the insertion of a shunt to let the excess fluid exit and relieve the pressure on the brain. The shunt is a flexible, plastic tube with a oneway valve. The shunt
is inserted into the ventricular system of the brain to divert the flow of CSF into another area of the body, where the CSF can drain and be absorbed into the bloodstream.
The prognosis (outlook) with hydrocephalus depends the cause and the timing of the diagnosis and treatment. Many children treated for hydrocephalus are able to lead normal lives with few, if any,
limitations. In some cases, cognitive impairments in language and non-language functions may occur. Problems with shunts such as infection or malfunction require revision of the shunt.
Hydrocephalus is sometime called "water on the brain." The word "hydrocephalus" in Greek literally means "watery head."
Based on University of Miami School of Medicine [Medical_Dictionary]:
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