Hydrocephalus natural history: Difference between revisions
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[[Elevated intracranial pressure]] may result in [[temporal lobe|uncal]] and/or [[cerebellum|cerebellar tonsill]] herniation, with resulting life threatening [[brain stem]] compression. | [[Elevated intracranial pressure]] may result in [[temporal lobe|uncal]] and/or [[cerebellum|cerebellar tonsill]] herniation, with resulting life threatening [[brain stem]] compression. | ||
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Revision as of 05:22, 22 July 2012
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Hydrocephalus Microchapters |
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Diagnosis |
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Treatment |
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Case Studies |
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Hydrocephalus natural history On the Web |
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American Roentgen Ray Society Images of Hydrocephalus natural history |
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Risk calculators and risk factors for Hydrocephalus natural history |
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor-In-Chief: Cafer Zorkun M.D., PhD.,Kalsang Dolma, MBBS
Overview
Natural History, Complications and Prognosis
One of the most performed treatments for hydrocephalus, the cerebral shunt, has not changed since it was developed in 1960. The shunt must be implanted through neurosurgery into the patient's brain, a procedure which itself may cause brain damage. An estimated 50% of all shunts fail within two years, requiring further surgery to replace the shunts. In the past 25 years, death rates associated with hydrocephalus have decreased from 54% to 5% and the occurrence of intellectual disability has decreased from 62% to 30%.
Because hydrocephalus injures the brain, thought and behavior may be adversely affected. Learning disabilities are common among those with hydrocephalus, who tend to score better on verbal IQ than on performance IQ, which is thought to reflect the distribution of nerve damage to the brain. However, the severity of hydrocephalus differs considerably between individuals and some are of average or above average intelligence. Someone with hydrocephalus may have motivation and visual problems, problems with coordination, and may be clumsy. They may hit puberty earlier than the average child (see precocious puberty). About one in four develops epilepsy.
Elevated intracranial pressure may result in uncal and/or cerebellar tonsill herniation, with resulting life threatening brain stem compression.