Procedures
Treatment
- Shunt. A shunt drains excess cerebrospinal fluid from the brain to another part of the body, such as the abdomen, where it can be more easily absorbed.
- Endoscopic third ventriculostomy. Endoscopic third ventriculostomy is a surgical procedure that can be used for some people. ...
- Complications of surgery. ...
- Other treatments. ...
Self-care
- brain or spinal cord tumors
- infections of the central nervous system such as bacterial meningitis
- injury or stroke that causes bleeding in the brain.
Nutrition
Some, but not all causes of hydrocephalus can be prevented. Safety gear such as helmets can help prevent head injuries while playing sports, riding a bike, and other activities. Car seats and seatbelts can help protect children in the car.
Which medications are used in the treatment of hydrocephalus?
Hydrocephalus is an ongoing condition that requires long-term care from a doctor, as there is no cure. Many people believe that their symptoms are part of the aging process, and their cases go unrecognized. It is not uncommon for hydrocephalus diagnoses to be missed, or for patients to be misdiagnosed (such as for Alzheimer’s disease).
What causes death in untreated hydrocephalus?
What are the possible prevention of hydrocephalus?
Is there a cure for acquired hydrocephalus?
What is the latest treatment for hydrocephalus?
Shunts. The current standard treatment for hydrocephalus is the surgical implantation of a shunt. A shunt redirects cerebrospinal fluid to another part of the body. This lets the brain's enlarged ventricles return to a more normal size in an effort to relieve the symptoms of hydrocephalus.
Can hydrocephalus be cured permanently?
Hydrocephalus has no cure, but there are treatments that allow those affected to lead fairly normal lives with the condition. In some cases, it is possible for the blockage that is causing the fluid to build in the brain to be surgically removed.
Does hydrocephalus go away with treatment?
Fortunately, there are treatment options that can restore normal levels of CSF. Though treatment is often helpful, it may take multiple surgeries to treat hydrocephalus. (Hydrocephalus is the most common reason for brain surgery in young children.) With treatment many people lead normal and productive lives.
What are the chances of surviving hydrocephalus?
Survival in untreated hydrocephalus is poor. Approximately, 50% of the affected patients die before three years of age and approximately 80% die before reaching adulthood. Treatment markedly improves the outcome for hydrocephalus not associated with tumors, with 89% and 95% survival in two case studies.
Can you live a normal life with a VP shunt?
Many people with normal pressure hydrocephalus enjoy a normal life with the help of a shunt. Regular, ongoing checkups with the neurosurgeon will help ensure that your shunt is working correctly, your progress is on track, and you are free to keep living the way you want.
How long can you live with a brain shunt?
The shunt event-free survival is approximately 70% at 12 months and is nearly half that at 10 years, post-operatively. Shunts that are placed to channel CSF to other parts of the body may fail due to malfunction or infection. Infections occur in less than 10% of all surgeries.
Does hydrocephalus worsen with age?
The symptoms of NPH usually get worse over time if the condition is left untreated. Patients with untreated, advanced NPH may experience seizures, which can get progressively worse. Dementia and/or bladder control problems usually appear after gait disturbances as the condition progresses.
How do you get rid of fluid on the brain naturally?
Brain Swelling May Be Reduced Naturally With:Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT)A Ketogenic Diet of Anti-Inflammatory Foods.Transcranial Low-Level Light Therapy (LLLT)Regenerative Therapies.
What can't you do with a shunt?
However, people with LP shunts should avoid any activity which involves twisting at the waist, as this can dislodge the shunt.Martial arts. Any activity that involves being grabbed around the neck is not advised, as the shunt tubing in the neck can crack. ... Rugby. ... Gymnastics and dance. ... Water sports. ... Golf. ... Other activities.
Is hydrocephalus a lifelong condition?
Hydrocephalus is however an ongoing, lifelong condition. It can continue to make it difficult for the brain to work properly which is why this site has focused on hydrocephalus in particular.
How serious is water on the brain?
Hydrocephalus can permanently damage the brain, causing problems with physical and mental development. If untreated, it is usually fatal. With treatment, many people lead normal lives with few limitations. Treatment usually involves surgery to insert a shunt.
How old is the oldest person with hydrocephalus?
The longest living hydrocephalic is Theresa Alvina Schaan (Canada) who was born on the 17 March 1941 and diagnosed with having congenital hydrocephalus. Also known as "water on the brain," it is a condition in which there is extra cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) around the brain and spinal cord.
What is the most common treatment for hydrocephalus?
This surgical treatment is the most common and successful treatment option for those with hydrocephalus. Shunting, which began in the 1950’s, entails the placement of a tube (shunt) in one of the brain’s ventricles or into the space of fluid in the spine.
What is a shunt in hydrocephalus?
The choice of shunt depends on the type and blockage location that results in the hydrocephalus. Most patients undergo shunt placements, including the following types: 1 Ventriculo-peritoneal (VP) shunt#N#This is the most common treatment, which shifts fluid from the brain into the peritoneal cavity (a fluid-filled gap between the walls of the abdomen and the organs in the abdomen). 2 Ventriculo-pleural (VPL) shunt#N#Shifts fluid from the brain into the pleural cavity (space between the two pleura of the lungs) 3 Ventriculo-atrial (VA) shunt or “vascular shunt”#N#Shifts fluid from the brain to the right atrium of the heart
Where does fluid go in the brain?
This is the most common treatment, which shifts fluid from the brain into the peritoneal cavity (a fluid-filled gap between the walls of the abdomen and the organs in the abdomen).
Shunt Systems
The most common treatment for hydrocephalus is a medical device called a shunt, a flexible tube, which is placed in the ventricular system of the brain that diverts the flow of CSF to another region of the body, most often the abdominal cavity, or heart, where it can be absorbed.
Endoscopic Third Ventriculostomy (ETV)
A second surgical treatment option is called an ETV. With this procedure, an endoscope is used to puncture a membrane on the floor of the third ventricle. This creates a pathway for CSF to exit the ventricular system and a shunt may not be needed. This procedure is typically performed in children over the age of 2.
Endoscopic Third Ventriculostomy (ETV) with Choroid Plexus Cauterization (CPC)
The third treatment option involves the addition of choroid plexus cauterization (CPC) with ETV as a treatment primarily in children under 2.
Ventricular Shunt Surgery
If a patient’s symptoms improve with spinal fluid drainage, shunt surgery, which is usually brief and safe, is recommended. The goal of placing a shunt is to divert CSF into a region of the body where it can be absorbed, such as the peritoneal cavity or a vein just above the heart.
Endoscopic Third Ventriculostomy
In some cases of noncommunicating hydrocephalus, the blockage can be bypassed using endoscopic surgery. In this type of surgery, an endoscope and microinstruments are manipulated through a minimally invasive, computer-guided approach into the ventricle. A small hole is made in the floor of the third ventricle, allowing CSF to flow out of the brain.
Endoscopic Third Ventriculostomy With Choroid Plexus Cauterization
For some infants, endoscopic third ventriculostomy can be performed with the addition of choroid plexus cauterization. After this procedure, the choroid plexus produces less CSF.
Ventricular Shunt Surgery Complications and Follow-Up
Although shunting is a relatively straightforward procedure, complications can arise, which underscores the importance of selecting a neurosurgeon experienced in treating this condition. The most common possible complications are infection and shunt failure.
What is hydrocephalus?
Hydrocephalus has been commonly called “water on the brain” or “fluid on the brain.” The water in reference here is actually cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), which has pooled in the brain due to an imbalance in the amount produced vs. the amount the body can absorb.
What causes it?
According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, one to two out of every 1,000 people is born with hydrocephalus. Although the exact cause isn’t always evident, it can stem from genetic abnormalities or developmental disorders. This can lead to complications and symptoms well into adult life.
What are hydrocephalus symptoms?
Hydrocephalus manifests differently depending on the cause and type. Symptoms commonly found in young adults include:
How is hydrocephalus treated?
There are a few prevailing methods, each one appropriate for different situations. But by addressing it early, a patient can fully recover with no future complications.
Endoscopic Third Ventriculostomy
The primary alternative to shunt systems, the primary goal of endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV) is to eliminate a patient’s shunt dependency.
Medications
Certain medications, specifically Acetazolamide and furosemide, appear to reduce CSF levels by acting on the choroid plexus, the intraventricular tissue that produces this fluid. However, relying solely on medication to treat hydrocephalus is a controversial topic, and it’s better used temporarily, or in cases when other procedures aren’t possible.
What causes it?
According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, one to two out of every 1,000 people is born with hydrocephalus. Although the exact cause isn’t always evident, it can stem from genetic abnormalities or developmental disorders. This can lead to complications and symptoms well into adult life.
How is hydrocephalus treated?
Traditionally, hydrocephalus is treated with a shunt, a device that allows excess CSF to be “shunted” (moved) to another area of the body. Shunting is achieved by placing a permanent tube into one of the brain’s four ventricles (a network of cavities which are filled with CSF) or into the space of spinal fluid.
Why is ETV used for hydrocephalus?
It is intended for those with obstructive (non-communicating) hydrocephalus because it creates a bypass for the fluid that flows over the brain and gets reabsorbed into the bloodstream. To understand what an ETV actually is, it is helpful to understand the term.
