Hydrocephalus Flashcards
describe hydrocephalus
buildup of CSF in the brain, causing enlarged ventricles which causes increased ICP that can cause brain damage
describe ventriculo-peritoneal shunt
device that drains excessive CSF into abdomen where it can be reabsorbed to decrease size of ventricles in the brain and consequently decrease ICP back to safe level
what is the difference between non-communicating and communicating hydrocephalus and what can cause them
non-communicating: block in the flow of CSF
- congenital malformations (arnold-chiari or aqueductal stenosis or from tumors in ventricles)
communicating: issue with reabsorption CSF
- post-meningitis hydrocephalus or thickening of arachnoids
what is the name for the narrowing of the connection between the third and 4th ventricle
aqueductal stenosis
causes hydrocephalus
- blockage in flow of CSF or insufficient reabsorption (sometimes overproduction of CSF)
- lesions, tumors or brain or SC
- CNS infections such as bacterial meningitis or mumps
- bleeding in the brain from stroke or head injury
what is normal pressure hydrocephalus
symptomatic hydrocephalus when in increase in pressure (< 18 mmHg)
s/s hydrocephalus
bulging fontanelle
diastitis of sutures
sunsetting eyes
s/s of increased ICP
headache
vomiting
drowsiness
what is sunsetting eyes and what causes it
inability to raise eyes up
caused by compression of CN 3 due to increased pressure
prevalence of hydrocephalus
peds: 88/100,000
adults: 11/100,000
elderly: 175/100,000
affects 2 and 3rd world countries
affects both genders equally
hydrocephalus can be present at birth due to
macroecephaly
dx hydrocephalus
US in newborns/infants
CT/MRI in kids/adults
- will show enlarged ventricles indicating CSF buildup
Tx hydrocephalus
- ventriculoperitoneal shunt
- endoscopic 3rd ventriculostomy
- choroid plexus cauterization
what is the tissue that produces CSF
choroid plexus
medications for hydrocephalus
acetaxolamide - carbonic anhydrase inhibitor that decreases CSF secretion by the choroid plexus
