Symptoms of hydrocephalus The signs and symptoms of hydrocephalus are somewhat different with the age of onset... The symptoms of hydrocephalus in infants are: - Changes in the head - Unusually large head - Rapid increase in head size - A raised or tense soft spot (fontanel) on the top of the head - Physical signs and symptoms - Nausea and vomiting - Drowsiness or lethargy (lethargy) - Irritability - Bad eating - Convulsions - Lower eyes - Muscle strength problems Symptoms of hydrocephalus in children and adolescents - Nausea and vomiting - Swelling of the optic disc - Blurry or double vision - Balance and walking disorders - Slowing or loss of growth progress - Changes in personality - Inability to concentrate - Convulsions - Weak appetite - Urinary incontinence In adults 60 and older, common signs and symptoms of hydrocephalus include: Loss of bladder control or frequent urge to urinate - Memory loss - Gradual loss of other thinking or reasoning skills - Difficulty walking, often described as a limp or a feeling of numbness in the legs. - Poor coordination or balance.. What is the cause of hydrocephalus? Hydrocephalus is caused by an imbalance between the amount of cerebrospinal fluid production and the amount of absorption in the bloodstream. Cerebrospinal fluid is produced by the tissues that cover the ventricles of the brain and flows through the ventricles through channels connected to each other. The fluid is finally absorbed into the spaces around the brain and blood vessels in the spine. Brain... Cerebrospinal fluid plays an important role in the functioning of the brain. Brain flotation allows the relatively heavy brain to float inside the skull - Protecting the brain to prevent damage - Removal of waste products of brain metabolism - Back and forth flow between the brain cavity and the spine to maintain a constant pressure in the brain (compensating for blood pressure changes in the brain) Excess cerebrospinal fluid in the ventricles occurs for one of the following reasons: - Obstruction - Poor absorption - Overproduction ### Obstruction The most common problem is a partial obstruction of the flow of cerebrospinal fluid, either from one ventricle to another or from the ventricles to other spaces around the brain... Less common is a problem with the absorption of cerebrospinal fluid.... This is often related to inflammation of the brain tissues due to disease or injury.... ### Overproduction Rarely, cerebrospinal fluid accumulates faster than it is absorbed.. What are the different types of hydrocephalus? The four main types of hydrocephalus are: - Communicative hydrocephalus - Non-communicating hydrocephalus - Normal pressure hydrocephalus - Hydrocephalus ex-vacuo ### Communication hydrocephalus Communicating hydrocephalus occurs when the flow of CSF (cerebrospinal fluid) is blocked after it leaves the ventricle.. This type of hydrocephalus may be caused by a thickening of the basement membrane of your brain called the arachnoid.. This blockage prevents the free flow of CSF.. Non-communicating hydrocephalus occurs when the flow of cerebrospinal fluid is blocked along one or more of the narrow canals that connect the ventricles... ### normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH) Normal-pressure hydrocephalus occurs when a buildup of cerebrospinal fluid causes your ventricles to enlarge, but there is little increase in pressure... The difference between NPH and other types of hydrocephalus is that even if the amount of CSF is higher than normal, the pressure inside the ventricles remains constant... The accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid occurs slowly over time.. Ex-vacuo hydrocephalus This type of hydrocephalus is caused by a brain injury such as a blow to the head or a stroke. In these cases, the brain tissue around the ventricles shrinks. CSF collects in your ventricles to fill the extra space. Your ventricles are enlarged, but the pressure in your head is usually normal. When a doctor suspects hydrocephalus, he will perform a thorough clinical evaluation, including taking and recording a detailed patient history and performing a physical exam to evaluate the condition.... A complete neurological examination, including one of the following tests, is usually recommended to confirm the diagnosis and evaluate treatment options: - Computed tomography scan (CT scan or CT scan) - Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) - Lumbar puncture (spinal tap) - Intracranial pressure monitoring - Isotope cisternography These tests may show useful information about the severity of the disease and its possible cause.... When hydrocephalus is suspected, it is important that a neurosurgeon or neurologist be part of the medical team to interpret the disease.. Treatment methods for hydrocephalus Hydrocephalus can be treated in a number of ways... Depending on the underlying cause, it may be treated directly by removing the cause of the CSF blockage or indirectly by diverting excess fluid.. Hydrocephalus is usually treated indirectly by implanting a device called a shunt to divert excess CSF from the brain.. The ventricles inside the brain drain into another body cavity, such as the peritoneal cavity (the area around the abdominal organs). Shunts are usually for It remains in place for the whole life of the patient (although sometimes additional operations are needed to correct the shunt system). Third endoscopic ventriculostomy.. In this procedure, the surgeon uses a small camera (endoscope) with fiber optics to visualize the ventricles and create a new path through which the CSF can flow.... Final Word With the aim of choosing the best treatment method for hydrocephalus, Neurali Neurology Center is ready to serve you in the diagnosis of hydrocephalus and the accurate interpretation of the diagnostic tests of this disease....