1.Introduction
Hydrocephalus the medical term for when there is too much spinal fluid in the brain. Spinal fluid is fluid that surrounds and protects the brain and spinal cord. In some people, too much spinal fluid can put pressure on the brain. Hydrocephalus is sometimes called "water on the brain."
Babies who are born too early or born with a brain problem are more likely to get hydrocephalus. A head injury or other problem that affects the brain can also cause the problem in people at any age.
2. Symptoms
In babies, the main symptom is a head that:
◆ Is bigger than normal
◆ Grows larger very fast
◆ Has an odd shape
◆ Has an outward bulge at the soft spot on the top of the head
◆ Has veins that bulge out
In older babies and children, symptoms can include:
◆ A head that is bigger than normal
◆ Headaches (often in the morning)
◆ Eyes that stay looking down and cannot look up
◆ Feeling sick (nausea) and throwing up (vomiting)
◆ Not feeling hungry
◆ Feeling sleepy
3. Examinations
In newborns, doctors use an ultrasound, a test that uses sound waves to take pictures of the brain. The doctor or nurse also measures the baby's head to see how fast it is growing. In older children, doctors use other imaging tests such as an MRI or CT scan to take a picture of the brain.
The doctor might also do a "lumbar puncture" (sometimes called a "spinal tap"). During this procedure, they put a thin needle into the child's lower back and measure the pressure of the spinal fluid. The doctor might also remove a small amount of spinal fluid to check it for problems.
4. Treatment Options
Doctors treat hydrocephalus with surgery that creates a way for the extra spinal fluid to drain from the brain. There are 2 types of surgery that are most often performed to treat hydrocephalus:
◆ Shunt – A shunt is a device that goes in the fluid-filled space inside the brain. It is connected to a tube that is placed under the skin and that empties into the belly, heart, or chest. The shunt helps drain the extra spinal fluid from the brain.
◆ Third ventriculostomy – This type of surgery creates a small opening in part of the brain to help drain extra spinal fluid.
The type of surgery used depends on how old the child is and what caused the hydrocephalus.
You can find professional doctors and experts about this disease here for your further consultation and treatment.
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