Hydrocephalus pathophysiology

Hydrocephalus Microchapters
Home
Patient Information
Overview
Historical Perspective
Classification
Pathophysiology
Causes
Epidemiology & Demographics
Risk Factors
Screening
Natural History, Complications & Prognosis
Diagnosis
Diagnostic Study of Choice
History & Symptoms
Physical Examination
Electrocardiogram
X-ray
CT
MRI
Echocardiography or Ultrasound
Other Imaging Findings
Other Diagnostic Studies
Treatment
Medical Therapy
Surgery
Primary Prevention
Secondary Prevention
Cost-Effectiveness of Therapy
Future or Investigational Therapies
Case Studies
Case #1
Hydrocephalus pathophysiology On the Web
Most recent articles
Most cited articles
Review articles
CME Programs
Powerpoint slides
Images
American Roentgen Ray Society Images of Hydrocephalus pathophysiology All Images X-rays Echo & Ultrasound CT Images MRI
Ongoing Trials at Clinical Trials.gov
National Guidelines Clearinghouse
NICE Guidance
FDA on Hydrocephalus pathophysiology
CDC on Hydrocephalus pathophysiology
Hydrocephalus pathophysiology in the news
Blogs onHydrocephalus pathophysiology
Directions to Hospitals Treating Hydrocephalus
Risk calculators and risk factors for Hydrocephalus pathophysiology

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1];Associate Editor-In-Chief: Cafer Zorkun M.D., PhD.,Kalsang Dolma, M.B.B.S.[2]

Overview

Hydrocephalus mostly results due to CSF flow obstruction, hindering the free passage of cerebrospinal fluid through the ventricular system and it can also be caused by overproduction of cerebrospinal fluid (relative obstruction).

Pathophysiology

• In a normal healthy person, CSF continuously circulates through the brain and its ventricles and the spinal cord and is continuously drained away into the circulatory system.
• Hydrocephalus is usually due to blockage of cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) outflow in the brain ventricles or in thesubarachnoid space over the brain.
• If the foramina (pl.) of the fourth ventricle or the cerebral aqueduct are blocked, cereobrospinal fluid (CSF) can accumulate within the ventricles. This condition is called internal hydrocephalus
• Alternatively, the condition may result from an overproduction of the CSF fluid, from a congenital malformation blocking normal drainage of the fluid, or from complications of head injuries or infections.
• In a hydrocephalic situation, the fluid accumulates in the ventricles, and the skull may become enlarged because of the great volume of fluid pressing against the brain and skull.
• Infants and young children with hydrocephalus typically have abnormally large heads, because the pressure of the fluid causes the individual skull bones which have not knitted with each other yet to bulge outward at their juncture points.
• The elevated intracranial pressure may cause compression of the brain, leading to brain damage and other complications. Conditions among affected individual vary widely. Children who have had hydrocephalus may have very small ventricles.
• Compression of the nervous tissue usually results in irreversible brain damage.