The prognosis for hydrocephalus depends on the cause, the extent of symptoms, and the timeliness of diagnosis and treatment. In general, the earlier hydrocephalus is diagnosed, the better the chance for successful treatment. The longer the symptoms have been present, the less likely it is that treatment will be successful. Some patients show a dramatic improvement with treatment while others do not. In some instances of NPH, dementia can be reversed by shunt placement. Other symptoms such as headaches may disappear almost immediately if the symptoms are related to elevated pressure. Recovery may be limited by the extent of the damage already caused by the hydrocephalus and by the brain’s ability to heal.

• Difficulty in waking up or staying awake
• Fever
• Headache
• Irritability and/or tiredness
• Loss of coordination or balance
• Nausea and/or vomiting
• Personality changes
• Vision problems
• Seizures
• Swelling or redness along the shunt track

If any of the above symptoms occur, please seek medical attention immediately. 

Hydrocephalus is a condition in which excess cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) builds up within the ventricles (fluid-containing cavities) of the brain. Under normal conditions, CSF circulates through the brain, its ventricles and the spinal cord acting as a protective cushion for the delicate brain and spinal cord tissue from injuries and a provider of nutrients.

The average adult produces about 500mls of CSF daily. When an injury or illness alters the circulation of CSF, one or more of the ventricles becomes enlarged as CSF accumulates. In adults, the skull is rigid and cannot expand, so the pressure in the brain may increase profoundly. If left untreated, hydrocephalus will create increased pressure in the head and may result in brain damage or even death.

WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF HYDROCEPHALUS?

• Due to a blockage outside the ventricular system or anabsorption problem

• E.g. Bleeding, infection, trauma, tumours, unknown causes

• Due to a blockage within the ventricular system

• E.g. Bleeding or tumour outside the ventricles, congenital

Hydrocephalus can be acute (fast onset of symptoms) or chronic (symptoms are slow in onset and more insidious). It can be active (with the patient quickly deteriorating), compensated (to some extent) or arrested. In most cases, the pressure of the CSF within the ventricles is high. However in some instances (e.g. Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus), the pressure of the CSF may be normal

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF HYDROCEPHALUS?

• Drowsiness and altered consciousness

• Headache

• Nausea and vomiting

• Unsteadiness

• As above symptoms, but slower in onset and more insidious

• Gait disturbances (Difficulty walking)

• Dementia or forgetfulness

• Bladder control problems

Radiologically, hydrocephalus usually presents with dilated or big ventricles as seen in CT scan or MRI. If a person exhibits symptoms of hydrocephalus, other tests that may be performed include:

1. Isotopic cisternography: A test that involves injecting a radioactive isotope into the lower back through a spinal tap. This allows the absorption of CSF to be monitored over a period of time (up to 4 days).

2. Lumbar puncture (spinal tap): Under local anaesthesia, a thin needle is passed into the spinal fluid space of the lower back. Removal of 50cc of CSF is done to see if symptoms are temporarily relieved. This test is used to measure CSF pressure and analyze the fluid. This procedure may help determine whether a shunt will work. If lumbar puncture improves the symptoms even temporarily, this can be an indication that a shunt will be successful. However, there have been patients who showed no improvement but went on to have a successful shunt procedure.

3. Intracranial pressure monitoring: Monitoring may be able to detect an abnormal pressure or pattern of pressure waves. Monitoring requires insertion of a catheter or small fiber optic cable through the skull into the brain. This procedure requires admission to the hospital for 24 hours.

Sometimes, the diagnosis of NPH can be difficult because the symptoms are also associated with illnesses like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases as well as with the normal ageing process.

Hydrocephalus cannot be cured, but can be control in a variety of ways. The problem area may be treated directly (by removing the cause of CSF obstruction, e.g. tumour), or indirectly (by diverting the fluid to somewhere else). Sometimes, if the pressure in the brain is high, and/or the CSF is mixed with blood (e.g. after a bleeding in the brain), a temporary drain - External Ventricular Drainage (EVD) system may be inserted to relieve the increased pressure build up inside the brain. Alternatively when the brain is clear of blood, a permanent shunt will be inserted.

This regulation occurs either through different pressure ranges or different flow rates (i.e. pressure-regulated or flow-regulated). A ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt is the most common of all shunts with the distal end of the shunt being inserted into the peritoneal (abdominal) cavity. Other shunts include: a ventriculoatrial (VA) shunt draining into the heart, a ventriculopleural shunt draining into the lung lining and a lumboperitoneal shunt which actually drains CSF from the spinal canal into the peritoneal cavity.

There are many different shunts available in the market. While no valve has proven conclusively to be superior over the other, some patients would benefit from special valves such as the programmable valves (where the pressure setting can be altered). Most doctors would select valves of a particular design and pressure setting based on experience and the patient’s condition. The most common valve used, however, is the medium pressure valve.

Disclaimer: This brochure is meant to be a guide only.