Hydrocephalus

What is Hydrocephalus?

Hydrocephalus is a condition in which cerebrospinal fluid, the clear fluid that surrounds the brain and the spinal cord, builds up inside cavities in the brain called ventricles. The accumulation of fluid causes the ventricles to enlarge and the pressure inside the head to increase. This pressure can damage brain tissues and impair brain function.

Cerebrospinal fluid is continually produced inside the ventricles of the brain. It protects the brain from injury, helps deliver nutrients to the brain, removes waste, and plays an important role in cerebral blood flow. It normally flows through the ventricles into spaces around the brain and spinal cord and is then absorbed into the bloodstream, primarily by blood vessels in tissues near the base of the brain. Cerebrospinal fluid can build up in the ventricles due to overproduction, poor absorption, or an obstruction.

Treatments for Hydrocephalus

Treatment for hydrocephalus usually consists of surgically inserting a shunt system. It consists of a flexible tube called a catheter, which is equipped with a valve that regulates the flow of cerebrospinal fluid. The shunt system diverts the flow of cerebrospinal fluid from the central nervous system to another area of the body where it can be absorbed, such as the abdomen.

An endoscopic third ventriculostomy is another treatment option for some people. In this procedure, a neurosurgeon uses a small video camera called a neuroendoscope, to see inside the brain and then creates a hole in the floor of the third ventricle, allowing cerebrospinal fluid to bypass an obstruction and flow out of the brain.