Hydrocephalus Causes and Types

Study Notes

Congenital hydrocephalus: present at birth, often caused by genetic mutations or developmental abnormalities
Acquired hydrocephalus: develops after birth, often due to:
- Head trauma
- Infections (e.g. meningitis, encephalitis)
- Brain tumors
- Cerebral hemorrhage
- Subarachnoid hemorrhage
Normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH): a type of hydrocephalus that occurs in older adults, often due to:
- Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) obstruction
- CSF leakage
- Alzheimer's disease
- Brain atrophy

Infants:
- Enlarged head circumference
- Bulging soft spot (fontanelle)
- Vomiting
- Sleepiness
- Irritability
Children and adults:
- Headaches
- Nausea and vomiting
- Dizziness
- Blurred vision
- Seizures
- Personality changes
- Cognitive impairment
NPH-specific symptoms:
- Gait disturbances
- Urinary incontinence
- Cognitive decline

Shunt placement: a surgical procedure to drain excess CSF from the brain
Endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV): a minimally invasive procedure to create a hole in the floor of the third ventricle, allowing CSF to flow normally
Medications: to manage symptoms, such as:
- Diuretics to reduce CSF production
- Pain management
- Anticonvulsants for seizure control

Shunt types:
- Ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt: drains CSF from the brain to the abdominal cavity
- Ventriculoatrial (VA) shunt: drains CSF from the brain to the heart
Shunt components:
- Catheter: inserted into the ventricle to drain CSF
- Valve: regulates CSF flow and pressure
- Reservoir: collects CSF before it is drained
Shunt complications:
- Infection
- Blockage
- Disconnection
- Over-drainage
- Under-drainage

Genetic mutations or developmental abnormalities cause congenital hydrocephalus, present at birth
Acquired hydrocephalus develops after birth due to head trauma, infections, brain tumors, cerebral hemorrhage, or subarachnoid hemorrhage
Normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH) occurs in older adults, often caused by cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) obstruction, CSF leakage, Alzheimer's disease, or brain atrophy

Infants exhibit enlarged head circumference, bulging soft spot, vomiting, sleepiness, and irritability
Children and adults experience headaches, nausea, dizziness, blurred vision, seizures, personality changes, and cognitive impairment
NPH symptoms include gait disturbances, urinary incontinence, and cognitive decline

Shunt placement involves surgically draining excess CSF from the brain
Endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV) creates a hole in the third ventricle to allow CSF flow
Medications manage symptoms, including diuretics to reduce CSF production, pain management, and anticonvulsants for seizure control

Ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunts drain CSF from the brain to the abdominal cavity
Ventriculoatrial (VA) shunts drain CSF from the brain to the heart
Shunt components include catheter, valve, and reservoir
Shunt complications include infection, blockage, disconnection, over-drainage, and under-drainage