Hydrocephalus Flashcards
define hydrocephalus
excessive volume of CSF in the ventricular system of the brain caused by an imbalance between the CSF and absorption.
how can hydrocephalus be divided?
- obstructive (communicating)
- non-obstructive (non communicating)
what is normal pressure hydrocephalus?
- reversible cause of dementia seen in elderly patients
- secondary to reduced CSF absorption at the arachnoid villi
what is the epidemiology of hydrocephalus?
- it has a bimodal distribution
- young
elderly
what are the presenting symptoms of general hydrocephalus?
- symptoms from raised ICP
- headache worse in the morning
- headache worse on lying down
- nausea and vomiting
- coma
what are the symptoms of normal pressure hydrocephalus?
- dementia
- gait disturbance
- urinary incontinence
what are the signs of hydrocephalus in neonates?
- increased head circumference
- sunset sign (failure of the downward gait)
what are signs of normal pressure hydrocephalus?
- cognitive impairment
- gait apraxia
- hyperreflexia
- urinary incontinence
what are the signs of obstructive hydrocephalus?
- low GCS
- papilloedema
- 6th nerve palsy
what is the gold standard investigation for hydrocephalus?
- CT head
- MRI
- CSF
- lumbar puncture