Hydrocephalus
The skull almost acts as the brains bathtub, albeit a closed one. The fluid functions as a shock absorber, but it also has other functions. The fluid is secreted from clusters of blood vessels (plexus choroideus) in the brains cavities (ventricles). It flows from the lateral ventricles to the third ventricle in the brains center, and to the fourth ventricle on the anterior of the cerebellum. From here it flows to the surface of the cerebellum and continues through the brains membranes (subarachnoid space) to the top of the brain, where it is absorbed into the blood.
Close to a liter of brain fluid is produced every twenty-four hours. Should the drainage of the fluid discontinue, the result will be hydrocephalus. CT or MRI will reveal expanded ventricles. In infants, whose skull bones have not yet attached to one another, the head will grow. In adults however, the skull cannot expand. Therefore the pressure inside the skull and on the brain will increase.
In infants deformed aqueducts may cause hydrocephalus. Earlier, this led to the childs head growing to monstrous dimensions. Today we implant a tube (shunt) that facilitates draining of the brain fluid to the abdomen. Occasionally the fluid is drained into the hearts atrium. The child is thus given a chance to develop normally.
Blockage of the brains aqueducts in children and adults alike can be caused by tumors, meningitis, or other pathologies. Normal pressure hydrocephalus is a special category that often results in a distinct combination of symptoms. Most it often it occurs in persons 60 years or older and it is a slight male predominance. These symptoms include poor short-term memory, a short, shuffling gait often with feet far apart, unsteadiness on turning, and incontinence. These patients are usually treated with a shunt.
Close to a liter of brain fluid is produced every twenty-four hours. Should the drainage of the fluid discontinue, the result will be hydrocephalus. CT or MRI will reveal expanded ventricles. In infants, whose skull bones have not yet attached to one another, the head will grow. In adults however, the skull cannot expand. Therefore the pressure inside the skull and on the brain will increase.
In infants deformed aqueducts may cause hydrocephalus. Earlier, this led to the childs head growing to monstrous dimensions. Today we implant a tube (shunt) that facilitates draining of the brain fluid to the abdomen. Occasionally the fluid is drained into the hearts atrium. The child is thus given a chance to develop normally.
Blockage of the brains aqueducts in children and adults alike can be caused by tumors, meningitis, or other pathologies. Normal pressure hydrocephalus is a special category that often results in a distinct combination of symptoms. Most it often it occurs in persons 60 years or older and it is a slight male predominance. These symptoms include poor short-term memory, a short, shuffling gait often with feet far apart, unsteadiness on turning, and incontinence. These patients are usually treated with a shunt.