Hydrocephalus Symptoms and Causes: Everything You Need to Know

Overview

Hydrocephalus is a condition in which excessive cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) accumulates in the brain's ventricles. This excess fluid leads to pressure built up in the skull, and several symptoms begin to appear from the inside. It can lead to severe health conditions; therefore, proper treatment must be given from the early identification of symptoms before severe complications develop.

Knowing its symptoms and causes can make a stark difference in your life. It can also help you get the right treatment at the right time. Symptoms of hydrocephalus can differ by age with several of them, such as headaches, vision problems, and balance issues may be common across all ages. Let us try to understand this health condition in detail and break down the major causes that stimulate hydrocephalus.

Symptoms of Hydrocephalus

Hydrocephalus manifests differently in adults and children due to variations in skull development and brain maturity. Recognising these symptoms early can significantly improve outcomes.

Common Symptoms in Adults

In adults, hydrocephalus can disrupt daily life in more ways than you can imagine. Some of the factors you need to look out for include:

•  Headaches: Persistent headaches are a common sign. These headaches often feel like pressure inside the head and may worsen in the morning or after lying down.
•  Vision Problems: Blurred or double vision can occur. Some people might experience difficulty focusing or even brief episodes of vision loss.
•  Memory Issues: Another symptom is difficulty with memory, concentration, and other cognitive functions. This can affect work performance and personal relationships.
•  Difficulty Walking: Trouble with balance and coordination can make even the simplest things, like walking, challenging. Some adults describe it as feeling like their feet are stuck to the floor.
•  Incontinence: Loss of bladder control is also a symptom, which can be embarrassing and impact the quality of life.

Common Symptoms in Children

In children, especially infants, symptoms can be more pronounced and will more often than not be seen in the form of:

•  Increased Head Size: A quickly growing head circumference is a massive sign in babies. The soft spots on a baby's head may appear bulging, and the scalp veins might be more visible.
•  Seizures: Some children may experience seizures due to increased pressure on the brain tissue.
•  Developmental Delays: Delays in major milestones like crawling, walking, or talking can indicate hydrocephalus.
•  Vomiting: Chronic vomiting accompanied with headaches, may occur due to increased intracranial pressure due to hydrocephalus. .
•  Irritability: Babies and young children might be unusually irritable or fussy due to headaches or discomfort they can't express verbally.

Know your type of headache and the best way to treat it.

Causes of Hydrocephalus

Hydrocephalus is a condition characterised by an imbalance in the production and abortion of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Hydrocephalus conditions fall mainly into two types: congenital and acquired conditions.

Congenital Causes

These are the causes that are present at birth:

•  Genetic Factors: Some genetic conditions may predispose a child to hydrocephalus. An example is aqueductal stenosis, or the narrowing of the passageway that CSF passes through- a condition that can sometimes be inherited from parents.
•  Brain Abnormalities: In some cases, defects in the brain, such as Chiari malformations, may restrict the average circulation of CSF. In Chiari malformations, part of the brain tissue extends into the spinal canal, blocking the CSF circulation.
•  Infections During Pregnancy: If a mother falls ill with infections such as meningitis or rubella during pregnancy, it can certainly impact the development of her infant's brain. Such infections may result in hydrocephalus for the unborn.

Acquired Causes

Aside from factors present at birth, hydrocephalus can also develop later in life for various reasons. Recognising these causes and watching for them is essential because timely intervention can prevent serious complications and improve the quality of life for those affected.

•  Head Injuries: Trauma resulting from accidents that damage brain tissues or obstruct CSF pathways. This obstruction does not allow the free flow of the CSF, resulting in accumulation.
•  Brain Tumors: Tumours in the brain can interrupt the circulation of CSF or change its reabsorption sites. Tumours may block the flow by being in the way or cause swelling that blocks average circulation.
•  Infections (e.g., Meningitis): Infections like meningitis can cause inflammation in the brain. This inflammation causes scar tissue to develop. Scar tissue can even intercept the circulation of CSF and cause fluid to gather.
•  Stroke: Some types of stroke, especially those causing bleeding in or around the brain's ventricles, can interfere with CSF circulation and lead to hydrocephalus.

Conclusion

Hydrocephalus results from excess cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in the brain, causing symptoms like headaches, vision issues, and developmental delays. It can be congenital or acquired due to injuries, infections, or tumors. Early diagnosis and treatments like shunt surgery or ETV can help manage the condition and improve quality of life.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can Hydrocephalus Be Treated?

Yes, hydrocephalus is treatable. The treatment may involve shunt surgery. In this, a flexible tube known as a shunt is introduced in the brain to drain excess CSF to another body part, such as the abdomen, where it can be absorbed. Through Endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV), the surgeons create a small incision in the third ventricle of the brain, allowing CSF to bypass an obstruction and be reabsorbed naturally.

2. How is Hydrocephalus Diagnosed?

The diagnosis includes combining clinical assessment with imaging tests. A hydrocephalus doctor will first assess symptoms and medical history and then use neuroimaging techniques such as MRI or CT scans to visualise the accumulation in the brain's ventricles.

3. Who Treats Hydrocephalus?

A multidisciplinary team of physicians and other providers usually manages hydrocephalus. Neurosurgeons perform operative surgery, whereas neurologists and paediatricians oversee ongoing care. Rehabilitation therapists may also be required to assist with developmental delays or mobility issues.

4. Who Needs Treatment for Hydrocephalus?

Any patient who has been diagnosed with hydrocephalus should be treated. Early treatment can prevent or reduce brain damage and other complications. Age, condition, and symptoms specify the treatment plan.

5. Can a Person Live an Everyday Life With Hydrocephalus?

Individuals with hydrocephalus can lead a near normal lives with accurate treatment and regular medical follow-up. Some patients may require active management for associated symptoms or complications.