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 Encyclopedia Brain herniation Brain surgery – discharge Cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) collection Head CT scan Head MRI Radionuclide cisternogram Transillumination Array Brain surgery Craniotomy – slideshow Hydrocephalus Normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH) Ventriculoperitoneal shunt Ventriculoperitoneal shunt – discharge Ventriculoperitoneal shunt – slideshow Clinical Trials ClinicalTrials.gov: Hydrocephalus National Institutes of Health Diagnosis and Tests Computed Tomography (CT) — Head Array Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) — Head Array Ultrasound: Head (For Parents) Nemours Foundation Specifics Dandy-Walker Syndrome National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke Genetics Genetics Home Reference: Dandy-Walker malformation National Library of Medicine Genetics Home Reference: L1 syndrome National Library of Medicine Genetics Home Reference: nonsyndromic holoprosencephaly National Library of Medicine Genetics Home Reference: primary ciliary dyskinesia National Library of Medicine Start Here Hydrocephalus National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke Hydrocephalus Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research Hydrocephalus Defined National Hydrocephalus Foundation Children Hydrocephalus (For Parents) Nemours Foundation Precocious Puberty Spina Bifida Association of America Treatments and Therapies Hydrocephalus and Shunts Spina Bifida Association of America Treatment of Hydrocephalus National Hydrocephalus Foundation Videos and Tutorials Minimally Invasive-Endoscopic Intraventricular Neurosurgery OR-Live Find an Expert National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke Seniors Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus (NPH) Alzheimer’s Association Journal Articles Hydrocephalus
