Common Causes of Hydrocephalus

Hydrocephalus is a condition in which the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) drains into the skull, forming an air-filled cavity. The condition causes pressure on the brain and may result in mental or physical disability. Flowood Hydrocephalus can cause symptoms such as headache, nausea and vomiting, seizures, and developmental delays. The causes of hydrocephalus are many, but the most common ones are:

Head trauma

Traumatic head injury can lead to hydrocephalus by causing bleeding in the brain or damage to its tissues. It may occur when there is a high-velocity impact on the head. It may also occur due to a blow to the head with an impact that was not hard enough to cause injury but was strong enough to cause bleeding within the skull. In some cases, no external sign of injury exists, yet internal bleeding occurs. In this case, your doctor needs to rule out any other possible causes for your symptoms, such as meningitis or other infections, before making a diagnosis.

Infection

It is not uncommon for people with hydrocephalus to have infections in their brains, which can lead to inflammation and further damage to CSF circulation. Infections include meningitis, encephalitis, tuberculosis (TB), and septicemia (blood poisoning). These infections can cause severe swelling in areas near or around the brain, causing increased pressure which leads to hydrocephalus.

Defects in the genes

Some children are born with genetic defects that make them more likely to develop hydrocephalus later in life. The most common genetic defect associated with hydrocephalus is congenital cataracts (also known as congenital glaucoma), which prevents CSF from flowing normally through the eyeball into the nose and throat. Congenital cataracts can also affect how much CSF flows into your skull (see below for more information).

Blocked ventricles

The ventricles are the fluid-filled compartments of the brain that contain cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). If the CSF does not drain properly, it can build up pressure in the brain and cause hydrocephalus.

Increased intracranial pressure (ICP)

High ICP is caused by increased fluid production by the brain or increased drainage of fluids from it. It is a condition that occurs as a result of injury or disease that causes swelling in the brain tissue. The swelling causes increased pressure inside the skull, resulting in hydrocephalus if no treatment is done.

Tumors in your brain or spinal cord

In some cases, tumors can grow on or near nerves that carry CSF out of your brain. These tumors can block the flow of CSF out of your brain, causing cause hydrocephalus. Other tumors may press on your spinal column and block CSF from flowing out of your spine. That can cause hydrocephalus by trapping some CSF in your head and spine.

There are many treatment options for hydrocephalus. The goal is to treat the underlying cause of hydrocephalus and prevent further fluid accumulation. If you or a loved one has hydrocephalus, it is important to consult a medical professional. A person who specializes in treating hydrocephalus may recommend more than one type of treatment. Contact Jackson Neurosurgery Clinic and request an appointment with a neurosurgeon to learn more about hydrocephalus.