HYDROCEPHALUS

I believe lots of people have already listened to hydrocephalus but let's read about it how does it actually happen. Hydrocephalus is a type of condition wherein excess cerebrospinal fluid (CSF builds within the ventricles and cavities of the brain. Even hydrocephalus is a self-explanatory term i.e. Hydro means water and Cephalus means head so, it can translate as water on the brain. These words actually refer to the buildup of cerebrospinal fluid that surrounds the spinal cord and brain.

Constant circulation of CSF within the ventricles of the brain plays many crucial functions such as, firstly, it acts as a shock absorber for the spinal cord and brain. Secondly, CSF acts as a vehicle in our brain means it is responsible for delivering nutrients to the brain and removing waste from it. Thirdly, it is also responsible for regulating changes in pressure by keeping flow between the cranium and spinal. But when CSF builds u around the brain constantly then it may create harmful pressure on the tissues of the brain that is confined within the skull.

I know now a question is coming into your mind how CSFs accumulation occurs? When fluid production increases and reabsorption rate decreases in ventricles of the brain or from a condition that blocks normal flow through the ventricular system.

However, hydrocephalus may occur at any age, but most commonly in infants and adults age 60 and older. Do you know guys?  According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), research, hydrocephalus affects probably one to two in every 1000 children born in the United States.

Types of Hydrocephalus

There are two major types of hydrocephalus are known as communicating and non-communicating hydrocephalus.

• Communicating Hydrocephalus

It occurs when the flow of CSF is directly blocked when it exits the ventricles of the brain. Why is it called communicating?  because the CSF can still flow between the ventricles, can passages between which remains Do you know?  arachnoid villi (reduce blood flow and absorption of CSF into specified blood vessels is stimulating situation which helps to the buildup of CSF in the ventricles and communicating hydrocephalus.

•  Non-Communicating hydrocephalus

It happens when the flow of CSF blocks along with one or more of the narrow passages connecting ventricles.

There are two additional types of hydrocephalus such as hydrocephalus ex-vacuo and normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH)

• Hydrocephalus ex-vacuo

Stroke or injury causes brain damage results in hydrocephalus ex-vacuo. In this case, brain tissue around the ventricles shrinks.

•  Normal-pressure Hydrocephalus (NPH)

It may be the result of bleeding in the brain CSF, head trauma, tumour, infection or a complication of surgery. Do you know? most people develop NPH when none of these factors is present in them. It gradually develops around the ventricles and increases the pressure of fluid inside the head. NPH causes issues with walking, difficulties thinking and reasoning, and bladder control. Sometimes NPH may be mistaken for Alzheimer's disease.

Symptoms

Do you know guys? Symptoms of hydrocephalus can be a varied person to person, majorly depending on age. Let’s discuss symptoms-

Infants

·       A rapid increase in head size

·       An unusually large head

·       Vomiting

·       Problems sucking or feeding

·       Sleepiness

·       Seizure

Older children, young adults and middle-aged adults

·       Headache

·       Blurred Vision or double vision

·       Problem with balance

·       Poor coordination

·       Slowing or loss of development progress i.e. walking and talking

·       Loss of bladder control or frequent urination

Older adults

·       Progressive mental impairment and dementia

·       General slowing of movements

·       Loss of bladder control or frequent urination

·       Poor communication and balance

Testing and Diagnosis

There is various treatment available-

·       Computed tomography scan (CT Scan)

·       Magnetic resonance imagine (MRI)

·       Lumbar puncture (spinal tap)

·       Intracranial pressure monitoring

·       Isotope cisternography

These tests were helpful to understand types of hydrocephalus and the severity of the condition.

Current Treatments

·       Surgical treatments

There are two surgical options shunt and endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV)

Shunt (Tube)

A shunt surgically inserts into the brain and then connects to a flexible tube that is laced under the skin to drain out the excess fluid into the chest cavity or the abdomen so it can easily absorb by the body.

Endoscopic Third Ventriculostomy (ETV)

It enhances the flow of CSF out of the brain. I think a question is hitting your mind like how is it possible?   In this process, experts make a tiny hole at the bottom of the third ventricle thus CSF diverts as a result pressure relieves.

Generally, shunt systems function well but they can fail to completely drain out the CSF caused by mechanical failure or insertion. When this happens, in that state CSF again starts to build up in the brain and earlier symptoms can reoccur. Thus, many surgeries require for this condition. However, NINDS seeks fundamental knowledge about the brain and nervous system to use that knowledge for reducing the burden of neurological diseases.

 All of us need to take care of our health and others including family, friends and neighbours. When we will highly conscious of our health then it will provoke us to adopt a healthy lifestyle.

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