What Is Hydrocephalus?

This is a condition that is usually diagnosed in utero, or via MRI or CT scans. It is characterized by enlarged ventricles of the brain. This can be caused by several different things.

For example:

Aqueductal Stenosis

Neural Tube Defects

Certain infections in the mother, which are passed to the baby

A complication of certain illnesses, like meningitis, in the baby

A hemorrhage (Intraventricular or subarachnoid)

Certain tumors (can be benign or cancerous, but usually benign choroidal cysts)

It can be genetic, and that hydrocephalus is referred to as “X-linked”, which means that it almost always presents in males who inherit the gene. Females are either carriers, or do not have it.

“X-linked” hydrocephalus is not a standalone condition, and is part of a genetic disorder called L1 syndrome. L1 syndrome is a mutation on the L1CAM gene. Some sources say that aqueductal stenosis is genetic, but that is actually HSAS (hydrocephalus due to congenital stenosis of the Aqueduct of Sylvius), a type of L1 syndrome, and does not apply to all cases of aqueductal stenosis.

Treatments are minimally invasive. ETV and shunts are the two most common treatments. An ETV has general requirements to be performed successfully, more exact than a shunt. These requirements are that: The patient is at least six months of age, A shunt was already tried, and did not work, Diagnosed with non-communicating hydrocephalus (CSF stays in the ventricles)

The procedure implants a small hole in the floor of the cisterns of the ventricles to allow fluid to exit naturally. The procedure is usually quite successful, and does not need to pt a foreign object into the body, drastically lowering chances of infections.

A shunt is the other common treatment. This works for all types of hydrocephalus. A shunt usually is a set of two tubes (called catheters) and a one-way valve. The valve regulates how much, and how fast the fluid is drained. There are many potential placements, but these are the two most common to allow either removal with other bodily fluids or reabsorption. Ventriculoatrial (VA) shunts, which take CSF from the head to the right atrium of the heart, where the CSF is removed with other parts of the blood. Ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunts, which take CSF from the head to the peritoneal (abdominal) cavity to be absorbed.

If you would like to learn more, please visit the "About Hydrocephalus" Page, or look through the "About Hydrocephalus" category

~ trixie_moon