10 Questions
What is the primary cause of congenital hydrocephalus?
Genetic mutations or developmental abnormalities
Which of the following symptoms is specific to normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH)?
Gait disturbances
What is the goal of shunt placement in treating hydrocephalus?
To drain excess CSF from the brain
What type of shunt drains CSF from the brain to the abdominal cavity?
Ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt
Which of the following is NOT a complication of shunt placement?
Cerebral hemorrhage
What is the purpose of the valve in a shunt?
To regulate CSF flow and pressure
What is the primary difference between ventriculoperitoneal (VP) and ventriculoatrial (VA) shunts?
The site of CSF drainage
What is the purpose of medications in treating hydrocephalus?
To manage symptoms
Which of the following is a symptom of hydrocephalus in infants?
Enlarged head circumference
What is the purpose of endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV)?
To create a hole in the floor of the third ventricle
Study Notes
Hydrocephalus
Causes
- 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
Symptoms
-
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
Treatment Options
- 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 Placement
-
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
Hydrocephalus
Causes
- 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
Symptoms
- 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
Treatment Options
- 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
Shunt Placement
- 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
Learn about the different causes and types of hydrocephalus, including congenital, acquired, and normal pressure hydrocephalus. Understand the factors that contribute to this condition.
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