HYDROCEPHALUS

 Term derived from two Greek words-

 “hydro” means water and
 “cephalus” means head.
 “water in the brain”
 Caused by an imbalance in the production and absorption of CSF in the ventricular system.
 When production exceeds absorption, CSF accumulates, usually under pressure, producing dilation of
the ventricles.
 A build up of fluid inside the skull, leading to brain swelling.
 Primary hydrocephalus without spina bifida is approximately 1 in 2500 live births, making it one of
the most common developmental disabilities, more common than Down syndrome or deafness.
 Leading cause of brain surgery for children.
 Death rates associated with hydrocephalus have decreased from 54% to 5% and the occurrence of
intellectual disability has decreased from 62% to 30%.
 
Causes of Hydrocephalus:
CONGENITAL HYDROCEPHALUS
o Intrauterine infections: Rubella, Cytomegalovirus, Toxoplasmosis.
o Trauma: subarachnoid, intracranial, intraventricular hemorrhages.
o Congenital malformations:

 Dandy-walker syndrome: here posterior fossa cyst continuous with 4th ventricle.
 Aqueduct stenosis: it accounts for 33% of hydrocephalus cases. Stenosis of aqueduct of sylvius
causes dilation of lateral and 3rd ventricles. In 2% of cases this could be familial with X linked
recessive inheritance.
 Arnold-Chiari syndrome- Portions of cerebellum & brainstem herniating into cervical spinal canal,
blocking the flow of CSF to the posterior fossa
ACQUIRED HYDROCEPHALUS:
o Tuberculosis, chronic & pyogenic meningitis.
o Post-intraventricular hemorrhage.
o Posterior fossa tumors: medulloblastoma, astrocytoma, ependymoma.
o Arteriovenous malformation, intracranial hemorrhage, ruptured aneurysm