Hydrocephalus II

Causes:
There are various causes of hydrocephalus. The reason behind hydrocephalus in infants that is congenital hydrocephalus is unknown, but it is considered that it could be due to an infection or some harm in the blood supply, that would have affected the baby. Most of the babies suffering from hydrocephalus are premature.
This condition is usually linked with conditions that cause harm to the spinal column or the brain, such as spina bifida or meningitis. Presently around eighty to ninety percent of people who suffer from spina bifida also suffer from hydrocephalus. In a few cases it is also due to complications with the structure and the pattern of the blood vessels. And other cases would be due to the presence of tumours or cysts in the brain that obstruct the flow of the CSF.
Diagnosis:
Hydrocephalus can be diagnosed with a Magnetic Resonance Imaging scan or a Computerised Tomography scan if the general physician advises it, in the case of children.
With the help of a CT scan, in which you can view a 3 dimensional image of the brain, which would show if there are any enlarged ventricles, which would indicate if hydrocephalus has taken place.
An MRI scan is also a way of getting a comprehensible image of the brain. In this scan the person has to lie down and is taken into a huge scanning machine which is in the shape of a tube. Most of the people find it very comfortable, but for a person who is claustrophobic should inform the staff well in advance as they will provide a lot of additional support.
Treatment:
The chief objective of any treatment to cure hydrocephalus is to let loose the pressure on the brain due to the increase in the levels of the CSF. If the reason for this condition in the brain is due to a tumour, then a surgery has to be done to remove the tumour. For any other reasons that have caused hydrocephalus a procedure known as a Shunt Operation would be necessary.
A thin tube known as a shunt is entrenched permanently in the brain, permitting the surplus CFS to flow into a different region of the body, where it can be taken in. Results show that it has helped many people in lowering the pressure, but in a few cases it does not show any improvement at all. As this operation does not suit everyone who suffers from hydrocephalus, only a specialist would be able to tell you whether it is suitable for you or not.
There is another treatment called ETV that is Endoscopic Third Ventriculostomy, this is could be done instead of the shunt surgery. In this the surgeon crafts a diminutive hole in one of the ventricles of the brain, and this would make way for the surplus cerebrospinal fluid to drain out of the brain into another part of the body where it can be taken in.
As this condition affects physical and mental development, a group of specialists are necessary to support the treatment. Thus with the right support and medication, a lot of people are able to live a normal life, but with a few constrains.