- Loss of bladder control or a frequent urge to urinate.
- Memory loss.
- Progressive loss of other thinking or reasoning skills.
- Difficulty walking, often described as a shuffling gait or the feeling of the feet being stuck.
What are the effects of hydrocephalus if left untreated?
Hydrocephalus can be fatal if left untreated. Other symptoms include
headaches, vomiting, blurred vision, cognitive problems, and walking difficulties
.
How is hydrocephalus diagnosed in adults?
A diagnosis is made by using
brain imaging techniques such as computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
, and through clinical neurological evaluation during a doctor visit. More tests are often performed in adults in order to diagnose the condition.
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.
How do you rule out hydrocephalus?
To confirm a diagnosis of normal pressure hydrocephalus, one or more of the following tests are done:
Brain imaging
: Imaging of the brain’s structure to detect enlargement of the ventricles, often with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or CT scan, plays a key role in diagnosing normal pressure hydrocephalus.
How serious is hydrocephalus in adults?
In most cases, hydrocephalus progresses, which means complications, including intellectual, developmental and physical disabilities, can occur if it’s not treated. It can also
be life-threatening
. Less severe cases, when treated appropriately, might have few, if any, serious complications.
What is the main cause of hydrocephalus in adults?
Hydrocephalus that develops in children and adults
Possible causes of acquired hydrocephalus include:
bleeding inside the brain
– for example, if blood leaks over the surface of the brain (subarachnoid haemorrhage) blood clots in the brain (venous thrombosis)
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
.
How is hydrocephalus treated in adults?
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.
What are the long term effects of hydrocephalus?
This can cause several long-term complications, such as:
learning disabilities
.
speech problems
.
memory problems
.
Does hydrocephalus ever 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.
Can you recover from hydrocephalus?
Recovery from normal pressure hydrocephalus is
possible with shunt surgery
, but improvement varies from person to person. Walking problems, mild dementia, and bladder control issues usually show some improvement within days after surgery.
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
.
At what age is hydrocephalus diagnosed?
Hydrocephalus is typically detected through a prenatal ultrasound
between 15 and 35 weeks gestation
. Our specialists are able to confirm this diagnosis with a fetal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) exam, which provides more detailed images of the brain.
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. We intended to avoid shunting or to eliminate the previously placed shunt with this procedure.
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.
