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Hydrocephalus

Abnormal accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid in the brain

Written by: Saygı Hospital Health Guide Editorial Board
Published:

This content is for general information; please consult your physician for diagnosis and treatment.

References (5)

This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. You can book an appointment at our Nöroloji department. Book Appointment →

What is Hydrocephalus?

Hydrocephalus results from imbalance between CSF production and absorption, with obstruction, impaired reabsorption, or overproduction causing ventriculomegaly.

Classifications include communicating (non-obstructive) and non-communicating (obstructive) hydrocephalus.

Causes include congenital malformations, intraventricular hemorrhage, meningitis, tumors, and idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus in adults.

Treatment options include ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt, ventriculoatrial shunt, and endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV).

Symptoms

Infants: macrocephaly, bulging fontanelle, sunset eyes, poor feeding, irritability, developmental delay.
Children: headaches, vomiting, papilledema, diplopia, school performance decline.
Adults: headache, nausea, cognitive decline, vision changes, gait ataxia.
Normal pressure hydrocephalus triad: gait disturbance, urinary incontinence, cognitive impairment.
Signs of elevated ICP: bradycardia, hypertension, irregular respirations (Cushing triad).
Shunt malfunction: recurrence of original symptoms, headache, vomiting, consciousness changes.

Risk Factors

Prematurity with intraventricular hemorrhage.
Congenital malformations: aqueductal stenosis, Chiari II, myelomeningocele.
Meningitis (bacterial or tuberculous) with arachnoid scarring.
Subarachnoid hemorrhage, both aneurysmal and traumatic.
Posterior fossa tumors obstructing CSF pathways.
Older age (for normal pressure hydrocephalus).

When to See a Doctor?

If you experience any of the following symptoms, seek medical attention promptly:

  • Progressive head circumference growth, vomiting, or irritability in infants.
  • Triad of gait disturbance, incontinence, and cognitive decline in older adults.
  • Acute headache, vomiting, or decreased consciousness in shunted patient (shunt malfunction emergency).

Treatment Methods

01
CT or MRI to assess ventricular size, aqueductal patency, and underlying cause.
02
Ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt with programmable valve for most patients.
03
Endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV) for obstructive hydrocephalus, particularly aqueductal stenosis.
04
ETV with choroid plexus cauterization (ETV-CPC) for infants with high success in selected cases.
05
External ventricular drain (EVD) for acute management of hydrocephalus.
06
Regular long-term follow-up with imaging and shunt series for hardware surveillance.

Which Department to Visit?

You can visit our Nöroloji department for these complaints. Our specialist physicians will create the most suitable treatment plan for you.

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Health Disclaimer: The information on this page is prepared for general informational purposes only. It does not replace medical diagnosis and treatment. Please consult your physician for your complaints. Saygı Hospital does not accept responsibility for actions taken based on the information on this page.