What type of disorder is hydrocephalus?
Hydrocephalus is an abnormal buildup of fluid in the ventricles (cavities) deep within the brain. This excess fluid causes the ventricles to widen, putting pressure on the brain’s tissues. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is the clear, colorless fluid that protects and cushions the brain and spine.
What disabilities are caused by hydrocephalus?
Symptoms and Complications of Hydrocephalus Symptoms can include headache, problems with gait, balance and coordination, problems with bladder and bowel control, neurological deficits, and cognitive dysfunction or memory loss. In adults, these and other problems can occur, including progressive dementia.
Is hydrocephalus a neurological disorder?
Hydrocephalus comes from the Greek words: “Hydro” meaning water and “cephalus” meaning head. Hydrocephalus is a chronic, neurological condition caused by an abnormal accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) within cavities of the brain called ventricles, resulting in pressure on the brain.
What causes hydrocephalus?
Hydrocephalus is caused by an imbalance between how much cerebrospinal fluid is produced and how much is absorbed into the bloodstream. Cerebrospinal fluid is produced by tissues lining the ventricles of the brain. It flows through the ventricles by way of interconnecting channels.
Can hydrocephalus cause intellectual disabilities?
People who have hydrocephalus usually need a shunt system for the rest of their lives, and regular monitoring is required. Hydrocephalus may result in significant intellectual, developmental and physical disabilities. Less severe cases, when treated appropriately, may have few, if any, notable complications.
What is the most common cause of hydrocephalus?
Hydrocephalus that develops in children and adults (acquired hydrocephalus) is usually the result of an injury or illness. Possible causes of acquired hydrocephalus include: bleeding inside the brain – for example, if blood leaks over the surface of the brain (subarachnoid haemorrhage)
Is hydrocephalus a genetic disorder?
Congenital hydrocephalus can run in families. It is thought that congenital hydrocephalus can be caused by genetic defects that can be passed from one or both parents to a child, but the direct links to hereditary disorders are still being investigated.
What is the main cause of hydrocephalus in adults?
What causes hydrocephalus kids?
Cause of Hydrocephalus Older children or adults with an abnormal growth in the head (tumor) or a head injury can develop hydrocephalus. Hydrocephalus has two base causes: the bloodstream is not fully absorbing the fluid due to a damaged filter in the brain and / or the flow of fluid within the ventricles is blocked.
How do you treat hydrocephalus?
The system includes an endovascularly implantable cerebral spinal fluid shunt and CereVasc’s delivery components, which are designed to treat communicating hydrocephalus without invasive surgery. The eShunt device is an investigational device and not
What can cause hydrocephalus?
In these cases, hydrocephalus may be caused by: developmental disorders such as those associated with birth defects in the brain, spine, or spinal cord complications of premature birth such as bleeding within the ventricles infection during pregnancy such as rubella that can cause inflammation in the fetal brain tissue.
Is hydrocephalus considered a disability?
Hydrocephalus can cause loss of motor function in any part of the body. The disability listing for central nervous system vascular incidents may apply if you have brain damage from the hydrocephalus that caused speech problems or difficulty walking or using your arms and hands. See our article on disability following stroke for more information.
How do you get hydrocephalus?
Congenital hydrocephalus. Approximately 1 in every 500 American babies are born with hydrocephalus.