Hydrocephalus Treatment in India

Hydrocephalus is the accumulation of fluid in the deepest parts of the brain. As a result of the additional fluid, the ventricles expand and press on the nerve.

It is composed of cerebrospinal fluid pumped to the brain and throughout the spine via ventricles. When the cerebrospinal fluid pressure becomes excessive in the skull, it can result in damage to the brain tissue and impairment of brain function.

Individuals from any age group can develop hydrocephalus, but it is most commonly found in infants and those who are a little older. A hydrocephalus condition can be surgically treated in order to restore and maintain normal cerebral cerebrospinal fluid levels. It is sometimes necessary to combine multiple therapies to address hydrocephalus symptoms.

Alternative names of Hydrocephalus

Water on the brain, water baby syndrome

Associated anatomy of Hydrocephalus

An excessive quantity of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) accumulates in the cerebral ventricles and subarachnoid regions. This causes Hydrocephalus.

Types of Hydrocephalus

There are three kinds of hydrocephalus:

Congenital Hydrocephalus

Congenital hydrocephalus refers to hydrocephalus that exists at the time of birth.

Acquired Hydrocephalus

Acquired hydrocephalus refers to hydrocephalus that develops after birth.

Normal-Pressure Hydrocephalus

Normal-pressure hydrocephalus refers to hydrocephalus that occurs in elderly adults.

Hydrocephalus Causes

The following are the three most common causes of hydrocephalus:

• A stumbling obstacle: Tumours, cysts, birth abnormalities, and other brain objects can obstruct or disrupt the natural flow of cerebrospinal fluid.
• Fluid absorption is poor: Inflammation, injuries, or infections such as bacterial meningitis can prevent brain structures from absorbing cerebrospinal fluid.
• There’s much too much fluid: In rare situations, the body produces more cerebrospinal fluid than the brain can tolerate.

Hydrocephalus Symptoms

The symptoms of hydrocephalus might vary based on age. They include the following in infants:

• A head that is exceptionally huge and grows swiftly.
• A hard or bulging soft region on top of a baby’s head.
• Downward-focused eyes (also known as “sunsetting of the eyes”).
• Irritability or craziness.
• Vomiting or malnutrition
• Seizures
• Muscle tone and strength issues
• Touch is less responsive.
• Growth has been slow.

Hydrocephalus symptoms in toddlers and children

• Headaches
• Downward-focused eyes (also known as “sunsetting of the eyes”)
• Hazy vision
• An exceptionally big head
• Sleepiness or a lack of energy
• Vomiting or nausea
• Inadequate balance or coordination
• Appetite loss
• Seizures
• Peeing often or losing bladder control
• irritability or a shift in mood
• Personality shift
• Having difficulty performing well in school
• Delays or issues with previously learned abilities, such as walking and communicating

Hydrocephalus symptoms in people under the age of 60

• Headaches
• Tiredness
• Inadequate balance or coordination
• Peeing often or losing bladder control
• Visionary shifts
• A lapse in memory or focus that causes issues at work

Hydrocephalus symptoms in individuals aged 60 and above

• Peeing often or losing bladder control
• Memory lapses
• Problems with planning or processing abilities
• Walking difficulties or a lack of coordination
• Dementia
• General slowing of movements.

Hydrocephalus Diagnosis and Tests

Your doctor will begin by performing a physical examination and asking about your symptoms, after which they will recommend testing to check for indicators of hydrocephalus. The following tests may be performed:

• Muscle strength, reflexes, coordination, balance, vision, eye movement, hearing, mental functioning, and mood are all checked during a neurological
• Ultrasound is a technique that employs sound waves to provide a picture of the inside of the body.
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a scan that creates comprehensive pictures of your brain using strong magnets and radio waves.
• A computerised tomography (CT) scan is a collection of X-rays collected from various angles and stitched together to provide a more detailed image of your brain.
• When a doctor inserts a needle into the lower back to extract and test some of the fluid, this is known as a spinal tap.
• Intracranial pressure monitoring (ICP) is a procedure that involves inserting a tiny monitor into the brain to determine how much oedema is there.
• A fundoscopic exam examines the nerve behind the eye to determine if swelling is present.

Hydrocephalus Treatment

You may not require therapy if your symptoms are minor. If the symptoms are severe, your doctor will likely propose surgery to implant a flexible plastic tube called a shunt in your brain to transfer the cerebrospinal fluid to another region of your body, such as your abdomen. The shunt is usually not removed and must be checked on a regular basis to ensure that it is operating properly.

Hydrocephalus can sometimes be managed without the use of a shunt. The endoscopic third ventriculostomy operation opens a conduit in your brain for the fluid to circulate freely. In contrast, the other procedure cuts off the region of your brain that produces cerebrospinal fluid.

Therapy and education can benefit persons with hydrocephalus

• Occupational therapy is used to assist children and adults in developing life skills.
• Developmental therapy is used to assist youngsters in learning social behaviours.
• Learning difficult tasks requires special schooling.
• Mental health care or social workers are required for emotional support and to assist families in finding resources.

Risk factors of Hydrocephalus

The following factors increase the likelihood of developing hydrocephalus

• Premature birth: Infants born prematurely are more likely to suffer from intraventricular haemorrhage or bleeding within the ventricles of the brain, which can lead to hydrocephalus.
• Obstacles during pregnancy: A uterine infection during pregnancy raises the chance of hydrocephalus in the developing baby.
• Incomplete closure of the spinal column is one example of a foetal development problem.

Other factors that raise risks include

• A spinal cord lesion or tumour.
• A brain infection of the neurological system, bleeding in the brain.
• Serious head injuries.

Complications of Hydrocephalus

• Visual changes
• Dysfunction of the brain.
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• The way you walk alters.