Hydrocephalus

Question 1

What is hydrocephalus

Answer 1

CSF building up abnormaly within brain and spinalcord

Question 2

Cause of hydrocephalis

Answer 2

Over production of CSF or absorbing CSF

Question 3

Congenital causes of hydrocephalus

Answer 3

Aqueductal stenosis, arachnoid cysts, arnold-chiari malformation, chromosomal abnormalities, congenital malformations

Question 4

When are cranial bones in babies fused at sutures

Answer 4

2 years

Question 5

Presentation of hydrocephalus

Answer 5

Outward pressure on cranial bones so have enlarged and rapidly increasing head circumference.
Bulging anterior fontanelle, poor feeding, vomiting, poor tone, sleepiness.

Question 6

What is a ventriculoperitonal shunt

Answer 6

Tube in ventricle through a hole in the skull drains into the abdomen (peritoneal cavity) or heart

Question 7

Treatment of hydrocephlus

Answer 7

VP shunt which drains CSF from ventricles into another body cavity