Hydrocephalus: Too Much Fluid in the Brain, and the Shunts That Treat It

Hydrocephalus is a buildup of too much cerebrospinal fluid in the brain. Normally this fluid cushions the brain; too much of it puts harmful pressure on it.

Two kinds

• Congenital hydrocephalus is present at birth, caused by genetic problems or problems in how the fetus develops. The main sign is an unusually large head.
• Acquired hydrocephalus develops after birth, at any age, from head injuries, strokes, infections, tumours or bleeding in the brain.

Symptoms of acquired hydrocephalus

• headache
• vomiting and nausea
• blurry vision
• balance problems
• bladder control problems
• thinking and memory problems

Outlook and treatment

Hydrocephalus can permanently damage the brain and disrupt physical and mental development, and untreated it is usually fatal. With treatment, many people live normal lives with few limits. Treatment is usually surgery to place a shunt — a flexible but sturdy plastic tube that drains the fluid to another part of the body, where it is absorbed. Medicine and rehabilitation therapy can also help.

Sources

• MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine, "Hydrocephalus," drawing on the NIH National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. https://medlineplus.gov/hydrocephalus.html
• Rewritten in hubnx's own words.