Hydrocephalus, CSF Disorder

Hydrocephalus

Hydrocephalus is a condition in which cerebrospinal fluid, the clear fluid that surrounds the brain and the spinal cord, builds up inside cavities in the brain called ventricles. The accumulation of fluid causes the ventricles to enlarge and the pressure inside the head to increase.
This pressure can damage brain tissues and impair brain function. Cerebrospinal fluid is continually produced inside the ventricles of the brain. It protects the brain from injury, helps deliver nutrients to the brain, removes waste, and plays an important role in cerebral blood flow.
It normally flows through the ventricles into spaces around the brain and spinal cord and is then absorbed into the bloodstream, primarily by blood vessels in tissues near the base of the brain. Cerebrospinal fluid can build up in the ventricles due to overproduction, poor absorption, or an obstruction.

Treatments for Hydrocephalus

Treatment for hydrocephalus usually consists of surgically inserting a shunt system. It consists of a flexible tube called a catheter, which is equipped with a valve that regulates the flow of cerebrospinal fluid. The shunt system diverts the flow of cerebrospinal fluid from the central nervous system to another area of the body where it can be absorbed, such as the abdomen.

An endoscopic third ventriculostomy is another treatment option for some people. In this procedure, a neurosurgeon uses a small video camera called a neuroendoscopy, to see inside the brain and then creates a hole in the floor of the third ventricle, allowing cerebrospinal fluid to bypass an obstruction and flow out of the brain.

Symptoms of Hydrocephalus

  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Headaches
  • Sleepiness
  • Irritability
  • Vision problems
  • Downward deviation of the eyes
  • Difficulty walking/gait disturbances
  • Cognitive problems, including memory loss
  • Loss of bladder control or frequent urge to urinate
  • Seizures

How are Hydrocephalus diagnosed?

  • MRI scan, CT scan
  • Ultrasonography
  • Lumbar puncture (spinal tap)
  • Pressure-monitoring techniques

Hydrocephalus, CSF Disorder

CSF Leak

A cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak is an abnormal escape of the water like fluid that surrounds the brain and spinal cord. Cerebrospinal fluid is continuously produced in cavities in the brain called ventricles and absorbed into the bloodstream. It floats the brain and spinal cord, acting as a shock absorber.
A CSF leak can result from various causes, most common being trauma. Escape of csf causes the pressure within the skull to drop to low level, a condition called intracranial hypotension.
The loss of CSF volume causes the normally buoyant brain to sag within the skull, resulting in headaches and other neurological symptoms. It also sucks in air due to negative pressure created in a closed cavity.

Treatments for CSF Leak

Most cases of csf leak due to trauma resolve with bed rest and other consrvative measures advised by your doctor.

Some csf leaks in the spine who fail to resolve spontaneously may need epidural blood patch. This procedure involves injecting your own blood into the area around the spinal cord to seal off the leak.

Some refractory brain csf leaks are treated by surgery either through nose or through open approach.

Symptoms of CSF Leak

  • Positional headache
  • Light sensitivity
  • Nausea
  • Neck stiffness
  • Imbalance
  • Hearing changes

How are CSF Leak diagnosed?

  • B2 Transferrin
  • CT scan
  • MRI scan
  • Cisternography

Aneurysm, Cerbro-vascular

Arnold Chiari Malformation

It is a structural defect in which brain tissue is pushed down from the skull into the spinal canal. This can occur when part of the skull is abnormally small or misshapen. These malformations are classified into types based on their severity and the parts of the brain protruding into the spinal canal.

Treatments for Arnold Chiari Malformation

Treatment depends on the severity of the malformation and the symptoms it produces. Medications may ease symptoms, such as headaches.

Surgery may be recommended to correct functional disturbances or halt progression of damage to the central nervous system.

The most common procedure for an Arnold-Chiari malformation is posterior fossa decompression, in which a surgeon removes a small section of bone in the back of your skull to relieve pressure on your brain.

Symptoms of Arnold Chiari Malformation

  • Head, Neck pain
  • Balance problems, tendency to fall
  • Muscle weakness
  • Dizziness
  • Vision problems
  • Difficulty swallowing
  • Ringing or buzzing in your ears (tinnitus)
  • Hearing loss
  • Vomiting

How are Arnold Chiari Malformation diagnosed?

  • Physical examination
  • X-ray
  • CT scan
  • MRI scan

Hydrocephalus, CSF Disorder

NP Hydrocephalus

Normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH) is an abnormal buildup of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) within the cavities of the brain, which are called ventricles. Every day, the average adult produces about one pint of CSF, which protects the brain from injury and carries nutrients to and waste products away from the brain.
In NPH, this fluid is produced in normal amounts, but it accumulates instead of being reabsorbed. The ventricles swell to accommodate the increased volume of CSF, and this swelling compresses brain tissue.
This pressure can damage or destroy parts of the brain.

Treatments for NP Hydrocephalus

NPH can be treated with a device called a shunt, which transports excess CSF away from the brain to another part of the body where it can be absorbed. A shunt operation is not a cure for NPH, as it does not treat the underlying cause, but the device remains in place indefinitely and can relieve symptoms.

Another operation that is used to treat NPH is an endoscopic third ventriculostomy. In this procedure, an endoscope is inserted into the brain to create a small hole in the floor of ventricles, allowing CSF to drain.

Symptoms of NP Hydrocephalus

  • Impaired bladder control
  • Gait disturbances
  • Mild dementia
  • Nausea, Vomiting
  • Vision problems
  • Headaches

How are NP Hydrocephalus diagnosed?

  • MRI scan, CT scan
  • Lumbar puncture (spinal tap)
  • Pressure-monitoring techniques

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