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. There are generally two approaches to treating hydrocephalus.
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.
How is hydrocephalus 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.
Can you get rid of hydrocephalus?
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 hydrocephalus go away without treatment?
Hydrocephalus is due to the accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in the cavities deep within the brain. Hydrocephalus is a condition of the brain where there is a pressure-induced deterioration of brain functions. It does not go away on its own and needs special treatment .
Does hydrocephalus shorten life?
What is the life expectancy of a child who has hydrocephalus? Children often have a full life span if hydrocephalus is caught early and treated. Infants who undergo surgical treatment to reduce the excess fluid in the brain and survive to age 1 will not have a shortened life expectancy due to hydrocephalus .
What is the latest treatment for hydrocephalus?
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.
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.
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.
Does hydrocephalus affect memory?
Among adults 60 years of age and older, the more common signs and symptoms of hydrocephalus are: Loss of bladder control or a frequent urge to urinate. Memory loss . Progressive loss of other thinking or reasoning skills.
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 .
Can you live a normal life with hydrocephalus?
What is the prognosis? If left untreated, hydrocephalus can be fatal. Early diagnosis and successful treatment improve the chance for a good recovery. With the benefits of surgery, rehabilitative therapies, and educational interventions, many people with hydrocephalus live relatively normal lives .
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%.
What foods help with hydrocephalus?
- Blueberries. Blueberries contain a compound that has both anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. ...
- Eggs. Eggs are rich in B vitamins and a nutrient called choline. ...
- Fatty Fish. ...
- Fruits. ...
- Leafy Greens. ...
- Nuts. ...
- Pumpkin Seeds. ...
- Tea and Coffee.
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.
Is hydrocephalus considered a 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.
