The most common treatment for hydrocephalus is
the surgical insertion of a drainage system, called a shunt
. It consists of a long, flexible tube with a valve that keeps fluid from the brain flowing in the right direction and at the proper rate. One end of the tubing is usually placed in one of the brain’s ventricles.
Can hydrocephalus be treated with drugs?
There is little use for medication in hydrocephalus
. In some acquired cases, as with tumors and infections, resolving the underlying condition will resolve the hydrocephalus, but most patients still require surgical intervention.
Can hydrocephalus be treated without surgery?
Hydrocephalus is usually treated by placing an
extracranial CSF shunt
. Endoscopic third ventriculostomy, however, has been revived recently as a less invasive method for treatment.
What is the survival rate of hydrocephalus?
The mortality rate for hydrocephalus and associated therapy ranges from
0 to 3%
. This rate is highly dependent on the duration of follow-up care. The shunt event-free survival is approximately 70% at 12 months and is nearly half that at 10 years, post-operatively.
Can hydrocephalus be cured?
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.
Can hydrocephalus correct itself?
It does not go away on its own and needs special treatment
. Hydrocephalus is due to the accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in the cavities deep within the brain. These cavities are called ventricles.
What is the main cause of hydrocephalus?
Hydrocephalus is caused by
an imbalance between how much cerebrospinal fluid is produced and how much is absorbed into the bloodstream
. Cerebrospinal fluid is produced by tissues lining the ventricles of the brain. It flows through the ventricles by way of interconnecting channels.
How can hydrocephalus be prevented?
You can’t prevent hydrocephalus
, but you can lower your risk and your child’s risk for developing the condition. Make sure you get prenatal care during pregnancy. This can help reduce your chance of going into premature labor, which can lead to hydrocephalus.
What foods help with hydrocephalus?
- five portions of fruits and vegetables per day.
- carbohydrates from foods such as brown rice, potatoes, cereals and whole wheat pasta.
- protein from foods such as oily fish, eggs and meat.
Is hydrocephalus caused by drugs?
Researchers have found that a pregnant woman’s use of opioids can lead to neonatal abstinence
syndrome
(NAS), where the baby becomes dependent on the drug just as the mother does. It can also bring a higher risk for the baby to have heart defects, spine problems, and buildup of fluid in the brain (hydrocephalus).
Does hydrocephalus hurt?
Sitting up for a while may improve the headache. However, as the condition progresses, headaches may become continuous. Other symptoms of acquired hydrocephalus include:
neck pain
.
How long is surgery to remove fluid from brain?
The operation
Shunt surgery is done by a specialist in brain and nervous system surgery (neurosurgeon). It’s done under a general anaesthetic and usually takes
1 to 2 hours
. You may need to stay in hospital for a few days after the operation to recover. If you have stitches, they may dissolve or need to be removed.
Is hydrocephalus a birth defect?
Congenital hydrocephalus is
caused by a brain malformation or birth defect
that causes excessive cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) to accumulate in brain cavities, called subarachnoid space. Cerebrospinal fluid is a clear, colorless liquid that surrounds the brain and spinal cord, protecting them from injury.
How long is hospital stay for shunt surgery?
About the Shunt Operation
The actual surgical procedure to implant a shunt typically requires about an hour in the operating room. Afterward, you will be carefully observed for 24 hours. Your stay in the hospital will generally be for
two to four days total
.
Can a person with hydrocephalus drive?
Hydrocephalus typically affects
visual acuity, coordination, judgment, and concentration
, all of the skills which are necessary to drive. Just learning how to coordinate between controlling the steering wheel and applying the accelerator or brake can be a daunting task when you have poor motor skills.
Can hydrocephalus cause personality changes?
NPH patients may develop symptoms with
frontal dominance
, such as personality changes, anxiety, depression, psychotic syndromes, obsessive compulsive disorder, Othello syndrome; shoplifting and mania. Unusual appearances of NPH symptoms may hinder early diagnosis and consequently proper treatment.
