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Hydrocephalus
Summary
Hydrocephalus is the buildup of too much cerebrospinal fluid in the brain. Normally, this fluid cushions your brain. When you have too much, though, it puts harmful pressure on your brain.
Hydrocephalus can be congenital, or present at birth. Causes include genetic problems and problems with how the fetus develops. An unusually large head is the main sign of congenital hydrocephalus.
Hydrocephalus can also happen after birth. This is called acquired hydrocephalus. It can occur at any age. Causes can include head injuries, strokes, infections, tumors, and bleeding in the brain. Symptoms include:
- Headache
- Vomiting and nausea
- Blurry vision
- Balance problems
- Bladder control problems
- Thinking and memory problems
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. A shunt is a flexible but sturdy plastic tube. The shunt moves the cerebrospinal fluid to another area of the body where it can be absorbed. Medicine and rehabilitation therapy can also help.
NIH: National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
Statistics and Research
- 20 Powerful Facts about Hydrocephalus Hydrocephalus Association
Encyclopedia
- Brain herniation Medical Encyclopedia
- Brain surgery – discharge Medical Encyclopedia
- Cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) collection Medical Encyclopedia
- Fontanelles – bulging Medical Encyclopedia
- Head CT scan Medical Encyclopedia
- Head MRI Medical Encyclopedia
- Radionuclide cisternogram Medical Encyclopedia
- Transillumination Medical Encyclopedia
Patient Handouts
- Brain surgery Medical Encyclopedia
- Hydrocephalus Medical Encyclopedia
- Normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH) Medical Encyclopedia
- Ventriculoperitoneal shunt – discharge Medical Encyclopedia
- Ventriculoperitoneal shunting Medical Encyclopedia
Clinical Trials
- ClinicalTrials.gov: Hydrocephalus National Institutes of Health
Diagnosis and Tests
- Computed Tomography (CT) — Head Radiological Society of North America
- Head MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) Radiological Society of North America
- Ultrasound: Head (For Parents) Nemours Foundation
Images
- Craniotomy – series — Normal anatomy Medical Encyclopedia
- Ventriculoperitoneal shunt – series — Normal anatomy Medical Encyclopedia
Genetics
- Dandy-Walker malformation: MedlinePlus Genetics National Library of Medicine
- L1 syndrome: MedlinePlus Genetics National Library of Medicine
- Megalencephaly-polymicrogyria-polydactyly-hydrocephalus syndrome: MedlinePlus Genetics National Library of Medicine
Specifics
- Dandy-Walker Syndrome National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
- Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
Start Here
- Hydrocephalus National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
- Hydrocephalus Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research
Children
- Hydrocephalus (For Parents) Nemours Foundation
- Precocious Puberty Spina Bifida Association of America
Treatments and Therapies
- Hydrocephalus and Shunts Spina Bifida Association of America
Find an Expert
- Hydrocephalus Association Hydrocephalus Association
- National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
Older Adults
- Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus Alzheimer’s Association