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Hydrocephalus that is congenital (present at birth) is thought to be caused by a complex interaction of environmental and perhaps genetic factors. Aqueductal stenosis and spina bifida are two examples. Acquired hydrocephalus may result from intraventricular hemorrhage, meningitis, head trauma, tumors and cysts. Hydrocephalus is believed to occur in about 2 out of 1,000 births. The incidences of adult-onset hydrocephalus and acquired hydrocephalus are not known. How Is Hydrocephalus Diagnosed? Hydrocephalus is most commonly diagnosed by ultrasound, CT, or MRI scan. It may also be diagnosed before birth by prenatal ultrasound or fetal MRI scan. How Is Hydrocephalus Treated? At Childhood Neurosurgery and Center for Hydrocephalus, we treat a wide spectrum of hydrocephalus cases ranging in age from premature infants to adults. The most effective treatment is surgical insertion of a shunt into the' child's brain to help drain the accumulated CSF from the brain to a other part of the body to be absorbed. A common type of shunt is the ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt which drains spinal from the ventricle to the abdomen. We often use antibiotic shunts to reduce infections. Endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV) is an alternative treatment method for hydrocephalus. This procedure is performed with an endoscope (small camera) which is inserted into the third ventricle and a small hole is created allowing drainage of the CSF fluid from the blocked area. Endoscopic third ventriculostomy is successful in 90% of cases, and is recommended for certain cases of hydrocephalus, such as aqueductal stenosis. Specific treatment for hydrocephalus will be determined by your child's physician based on:
Arachnoid cysts are cerebrospinal fluid-filled cavities in the brain. They are found in both children with symptoms from the cyst causing pressure and in children incidentally. The cysts can occur in many different parts of the brain and the presentation is variable (usually headaches and possibly seizures). Treatment options are numerous, including surgical intervention if the child is symptomatic or simple observation with repeated imaging. Your pediatric neurosurgeon will guide you in the decision-making process. Dandy Walker Malformation Dandy Walker involves a large posterior fossa cyst with variable hydrocephalus. Treatment involves drainage by shunting of the cyst, the hydrocephalus, or both. Prenatal counseling Our Childhood Neurosurgery surgeons offer parents of children with inutero abnormalities prenatal counseling. This allows us to provide education to parents about their child's diagnosis and prognosis, allowing them make important decisions about the pregnancy. Disorders diagnosed in utero include hydrocephalus, cysts, spina bifida, vascular anomalies, and rarely, tumors. |
