Hydrocephalus Treatment
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Hydrocephalus Treatment
The excessive accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid in and around the brain and the resulting disease is called hydrocephalus. Under normal conditions, the cerebrospinal fluid, which is constantly produced in the skull and absorbed by the spider-like membrane, begins to increase inside as a result of blockage or the inability of the spider-like membrane tissue to do its job. While this increase occurs in the form of deformation of the skull and enlargement of the head in infant patients, different complications may occur in adult patients.
Since it is not possible to treat hydrocephalus with medication, the fluid in question is evacuated by two different surgical interventions. One of them is endoscopic surgery and the other is the shunt surgery technique. Detailed information about the shunt surgery technique in hydrocephalus is as follows.
Why and How Does Hydrocephalus Occur?
In cases of hydrocephalus, fluid circulation in the brain changes unusually for different reasons, and water accumulation begins to occur. Under normal conditions, this fluid, which is constantly produced and absorbed by the cerebral cortex, protects the brain from impacts, provides circulation inside, and balances brain pressure.
Let’s examine together the answers to the question of why and how hydrocephalus occurs. Hydrocephalus occurs in two different ways, depending on the obstruction or the inability of the spider-like membrane structure to perform its function. A brain tumor arising in that area may have caused the blockage. Mostly, hydrocephalus is encountered as a result of obstruction.
Hydrocephalus due to obstruction occurs when the obstruction in the chambers where the fluid circulates cannot reach the membrane tissue and absorption cannot occur. The defect in the membrane tissue occurs as a result of the inability of this tissue to fully develop in newborn babies, heavy blows to the head as a result of accident, or meningitis, which is an inflammation of the brain membranes.
Hydrocephalus Symptoms
The most important symptoms that occur in infants are skull deformities and excessive growth. Hydrocephalus, which occurs before the settling and hardening of the skull bones between the ages of 6-10, causes the mentioned deformities and enlargement of the head. If this growth is rapid, different complications such as mental retardation, visual disturbances, muscle stiffness, and paralysis may occur. Even if hydrocephalus is treated as a result of the pressure of the fluid on the brain, irreversible damage may occur. In this regard, the early diagnosis and treatment process should be started as soon as possible.
The symptoms of hydrocephalus in adults are vomiting, headaches, deterioration in mental abilities that increase day by day, dementia, balance disorders, and memory loss. Moreover, symptoms such as urinary incontinence and slowness in walking are among the symptoms seen mostly in elderly patients.
