Hydrocephalus

Question 1

What is hydrocephalus?

Answer 1

Excessive accumulation of CSF within head, caused by disturbance of formation, flow or absorption

Question 2

Communicating hydrocephalus?

Answer 2

Occurs hwne CSF is inefficiently absored back into blood stream causes include meningiis or subarachnoid haemorrhage

Question 3

Non communicating hydrocephalus occurs?

Answer 3

Obstructive
CSF is blocked from flowing between one of the passage that connects the ventricles
Tumours and other lesions

Question 4

What congenital abnormalities cause hydrocephalus?

Answer 4

The Arnold Chiari Malformation
Congenital Stenosis or Atresia of Aqueduct of Sylvius
Atresia of foramina of Magendie and Luschka

Question 5

What i Arnold chiari malformation?

Answer 5

Prolongation of cerebellum and medulla bulging through formane magnum, obstructing flow of CSF in posterior fossa

Assoc with meningomyelocele form of spina bifida

Question 6

Acquired causes of hydrocephalus?

Answer 6

• Posterior fossa and brainstem tumours
• Subarachnoid haemorrhage
• 3rd ventricle colloid cyst
• Choroid plexus papilloma

Question 7

Presnetation of hydrocephalus in infants and young children?

Answer 7

Pliable skull expands to accommodate enlarging brain

Question 8

Management of hydrocephalus?

Answer 8

Ventriculoperitoneal or lumbar peritoneal shunting is necessary when progressive hydrocephalus causes symptoms

Endoscopic 3rds ventriculostomy may be performed