Table of Contents
What is an external hydrocephalus?
External hydrocephalus (EH) is a benign clinical entity in which macrocephaly is associated with an increase in volume of the subarachnoid space, especially overlying both frontal lobes, and a normal or only slight increase in volume of the lateral ventricles.
What are the symptoms of a child with hydrocephalus?
What are the symptoms of hydrocephalus?
- an unusually large head.
- a rapid increase in head size.
- extreme sleepiness.
- vomiting that is frequent and severe.
- trouble looking up when the head is facing forward.
- seizures that have no known cause.
How does external hydrocephalus occur?
The most common theory suggests that external hydrocephalus is caused by immature arachnoid villi not able to absorb the CSF that is produced continuously [14].
What are the types of hydrocephalus?
The two major types of hydrocephalus are called communicating hydrocephalus and non-communicating hydrocephalus.
- Communicating hydrocephalus occurs when the flow of CSF is blocked after it exits the ventricles.
- Congenital hydrocephalus.
- Acquired hydrocephalus.
What are the causes of external hydrocephalus?
As most reported cases of external hydrocephalus seem to be idiopathic, various theories regarding the underlying pathophysiology have been presented. The most common theory suggests that external hydrocephalus is caused by immature arachnoid villi not able to absorb the CSF that is produced continuously [14].
Can hydrocephalus go away on its own?
Hydrocephalus is a condition of the brain where there is a pressure-induced deterioration of brain functions. It does not go away on its own and needs special treatment. Hydrocephalus is due to the accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in the cavities deep within the brain. These cavities are called ventricles.
How does a child get hydrocephalus?
Cause of Hydrocephalus Older children or adults with an abnormal growth in the head (tumor) or a head injury can develop hydrocephalus. Hydrocephalus has two base causes: the bloodstream is not fully absorbing the fluid due to a damaged filter in the brain and / or the flow of fluid within the ventricles is blocked.
What type of hydrocephalus is most common?
Normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH) is a form of communicating hydrocephalus that can strike people at any age, but it is most common among the elderly. It may result from a subarachnoid hemorrhage, head trauma, infection, tumor or complications of surgery.
Can a child with hydrocephalus walk?
Many children with pediatric hydrocephalus have normal intelligence and physical development, but some may be slower to develop skills such as hand-eye coordination or learning to walk. Some may experience learning problems as they progress in school.
How is hydrocephalus treated in children?
The most common hydrocephalus treatment is a shunt, a small piece of silicone tubing placed surgically inside the body to bypass a blockage or otherwise create a better flow of cerebrospinal fluid. The shunt allows for fluid to flow through it in one direction.
What is external hydrocephalus?
Summary External hydrocephalus (EH) is a benign clinical entity in which macrocephaly is associated with an increase in volume of the subarachnoid space, especially overlying both frontal lobes, and a normal or only slight increase in volume of the lateral ventricles.
What is hydrocephalus in a child?
Hydrocephalus is the accumulation of too much cerebrospinal fluid inside the ventricles when the normal production and absorption of cerebrospinal fluid is disrupted. What causes hydrocephalus in children? Hydrocephalus is typically a symptom of some other problem, and a pediatric neurologist and neurosurgeon can to determine the cause.
Can benign external hydrocephalus in infants be treated?
Benign external hydrocephalus in infants, characterized by macrocephaly and typical neuroimaging findings, is considered as a self-limiting condition and is therefore rarely treated. This review concerns all aspects of this condition: etiology, neuroimaging, symptoms and clinical findings, treatment, and outcome, with emphasis on management.
What is idiopathic external hydrocephalus (IDH)?
Idiopathic external hydrocephalus is a relatively benign, self-limited condition that resolves without treatment and is closely related to benign familial macrocephaly 18) . In 99 patients, 5-12 years old (55% males).