Hydrocephalus

Question 1

Define Hydrocephalus

Answer 1

Abnormally high amount of fluid within the brain
can be communicating or not (causing normal pressure or high Intracranial pressure

large increased size of ventricles

Question 2

Aetiology and risk factors for hydrocephalus

Answer 2

Can be from birth-neural tube defects-> aqueduct stenosis

Or acquired-meningitis, tumours, trauma, SAH,

Symptoms tend to come from the raised intracranial pressure when acute
different when chronic hydrocephalus in older people

risk factors-any of the above

Question 3

Epidiemology of Hydrocephalus

Answer 3

1/2 -1000 newborns have it. but higher in developing world

Question 4

Signs and symptoms of hydrocephalus

Answer 4

Hakims triad-gait instability, dementia and urinary problem-> normal pressure hydrocephalus (insidious chronic onset)

Kids: Born with large head-and fontanelle to bulge
Eyes gaze downward
Seizures
Vomiting
headache, irritability, slow growth

Adults-signs of raised ICP
Headache worse on coughing/strain
Vomiting
Altered GCS
Pupil change (constrict first then dilate)
Low visual acuity
Papillodema-unreliable

Question 5

Investigations of Hydrocephalus

Answer 5

Diagnostic is usually an MRI/CT

NO LP, or need to make sure no raised ICP +care with kids

In adults want to indetify the cause and treat It (Infections, cancer, haemorrhage, etc)