What Is Hydrocephalus
Hydrocephalus is an excess buildup of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in the ventricles (reservoirs) of the brain. This fluid, which protects, nourishes and cleanses the brain and spinal cord, is manufactured daily in the ventricles. Buildup occurs when the fluid cannot flow freely throughout the ventricles and the central nervous system due to various forms of blockage. Except in very rare cases, it is a life-long condition that can only be controlled, not cured, through medical intervention.About Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus
Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus (NPH) is a neurological condition that affects the elderly. It is characterized by a triad of symptoms including difficulty walking, poor bladder control, and mild dementia. NPH is a difficult-to-diagnose disease, since the symptoms often mimic those of other conditions among the elderly — Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. NPH is a condition that cannot be cured, but it can often be effectively treated.
NPH is characterized by a triad of symptoms including difficulty walking, poor bladder control, and mild dementia. The symptoms of NPH may not all occur at the same time, and sometimes only one or two symptoms are present. Some patients experience a mild form of the symptoms, while others become more impaired as the condition progresses.
Treatment options for Hydrocephalus
Endoscopic Third ventriculostomy (ETV) is a surgical procedure in which an opening is created in the floor of the third ventricle using an endoscope placed within the ventricular system through a burr hole. This allows the cerebrospinal fluid to flow directly to the basal cisterns, thereby shortcutting any obstruction. It is used to treat certain forms of obstructive hydrocephalus, such as aqueductal stenosis.
Ventriculoperitoneal Shunt (VPS) diverts the CSF from the ventricles in the brain to the peritoneal cavity in the abdomen where the fluid is reabsorbed into the bloodstream. The one-way valve is placed next to the ventricle in the brain and the proximal catheter is placed in the ventricle while the distal catheter runs from the valve down to the peritoneal cavity. A catheter is an extremely narrow piece of tubing used for drainage purposes. “Proximal” refers to the catheter placed in the area to be drained, while “distal” refers to the catheter placed in the area accepting the CSF to be absorbed.