What causes ventricular enlargement in the brain?
What causes ventricular enlargement in the brain?
Hydrocephalus is the abnormal enlargement of the brain cavities (ventricles) caused by a build-up of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Hydrocephalus can be caused by problems with CSF secretion, CSF flow or CSF absorption.
What are the three causes of hydrocephalus?
Possible causes of acquired hydrocephalus include:
- bleeding inside the brain – for example, if blood leaks over the surface of the brain (subarachnoid haemorrhage)
- blood clots in the brain (venous thrombosis)
- meningitis – an infection of the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord.
- brain tumours.
- head injury.
What is ventricular hydrocephalus?
Hydrocephalus is the buildup of fluid in the cavities (ventricles) deep within the brain. The excess fluid increases the size of the ventricles and puts pressure on the brain. Cerebrospinal fluid normally flows through the ventricles and bathes the brain and spinal column.
How is hydrocephalus ex vacuo treated?
Treatment of hydrocephalus involves the insertion of a shunt to let the excess fluid exit and relieve the pressure on the brain. The shunt is a flexible, plastic tube with a one-way valve.
How long can a person with hydrocephalus live?
The mortality rate for hydrocephalus and associated therapy ranges from 0 to 3%. This rate is highly dependent on the duration of follow-up care. The shunt event-free survival is approximately 70% at 12 months and is nearly half that at 10 years, post-operatively.
What does it mean to have hydrocephalus ex vacuo?
Hydrocephalus due to loss or atrophy of brain tissue; less commonly associated with raised intracranial pressure. hydrocephalus ex vacuo. The appearance on brain imaging of enlarged lateral ventricles, caused by atrophy of the brain.
What happens to the ventricles in hydrocephalus?
Overdraining can cause the ventricles to collapse, tearing blood vessels and causing headache, hemorrhage (subdural hematoma), or slit-like ventricles (slit ventricle syndrome). Underdraining occurs when CSF is not removed quickly enough and the symptoms of hydrocephalus recur.
When does hydrocephalus occur in an older person?
Hydrocephalus ex-vacuo occurs when a stroke or injury damages the brain and brain matter actually shrinks. The brain may shrink in older patients or those with Alzheimer’s disease, and CSF volume increases to fill the extra space.
What are the symptoms of normal pressure hydrocephalus?
Normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH) can occur due to a gradual blockage of the CSF drainage pathways in the brain. Although the ventricles enlarge, the pressure of the CSF remains within normal range. NPH is characterized by memory loss ( dementia ), balance disorder ( ataxia ), urinary incontinence and a general slowing of activity.
