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?
Hydrocephalus is a chronic condition.
It can be controlled, but usually not cured
. With appropriate early treatment, however, many people with hydrocephalus lead normal lives with few limitations. Hydrocephalus can occur at any age, but is most common in infants and adults age 60 and older.
Can you outgrow hydrocephalus?
Though the majority of these babies will eventually need the traditional shunt when they grow older, many will never need another intervention. “Now,” Ahn says, “we can treat these babies so
that they can outgrow their hydrocephalus
and never need a shunt at all, which is a tremendous victory.”
Is hydrocephalus a lifelong condition?
Hydrocephalus is
a chronic condition
. It can be controlled, but usually not cured. With appropriate early treatment, however, many people with hydrocephalus lead normal lives with few limitations. Hydrocephalus can occur at any age, but is most common in infants and adults age 60 and older.
Do children outgrow hydrocephalus?
In most cases, the implantation of a shunt will successfully control hydrocephalus, but shunts do not cure hydrocephalus.
Hydrocephalus is a lifelong condition
. However, with proper treatment and maintenance, children with hydrocephalus can lead normal lives with few limitations.
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 much does a hydrocephalus surgery cost?
Average cost
was $35,816 +/- $810
(standard error range, $137-$814,748). Primary payers primarily were private insurers (43.8%), Medicare (26.0%), and Medicaid (24.5%). Disposition mainly was routine (78.4%, with home health care in 6.5%), and inpatient mortality was 2.7%.
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.
Does hydrocephalus qualify for disability?
You cannot get disability automatically for hydrocephalus
because it is not a specifically listed condition in Social Security’s “blue book” of listed impairments.
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 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 causes babies to be born with hydrocephalus?
When hydrocephalus is congenital, it may be the result of a condition like
spina bifida
, where the baby’s spine does not form normally, or aqueductal stenosis, a narrowing of the passage between the third and fourth ventricles in the brain. Hydrocephalus may also be caused by a genetic disorder.
Can a child with hydrocephalus walk?
Many children with pediatric hydrocephalus have normal intelligence and physical development, but some may be slower to develop skills such as hand-eye coordination or
learning to walk
. Some may experience learning problems as they progress in school.
How long is hospital stay for shunt surgery?
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
.
What is the best treatment for hydrocephalus?
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 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.
