What is Hydrocephalus?

produced constantly inside each

of the four spaces or ventricles

next, then out over the outside

of the brain and down the spinal

in the ventricles inside the brain,

and adults, the head size cannot

What is Hydrocephalus?

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01733 555988

Key

Cerebrum:

Cerebellum:

Ventricles:

Choroid plexus:

Superior sagittal sinus:

Pituitary gland:

Brainstem:

Spinal cord:

Lateral ventricles

(One each side

Superior sagittal

Spinal cord

Choroid plexus

Choroid plexus

Pituitary gland

What causes

Hydrocephalus?

Hydrocephalus can be

congenital or acquired.

Congenital Hydrocephalus

the exact cause of congenital

hydrocephalus cannot be

Aqueduct Stenosis

linking the ventricles in the brain is

the lesion in the spinal cord, there

of certain parts of the brain which

increase in pressure due to this can

Shine’s

Cysts within the brain

In these cases, hydrocephalus

is often due to pressure on

the surrounding tissues by the

Genetics

hydrocephalus is due to hereditary

generations, such as x-linked

Maternal infections

streptococcus which can

What is Hydrocephalus?

Acquired Hydrocephalus

Brain Haemorrhage

including those occurring in adults

Tumours

surrounding tissues, resulting

is often necessary to control

Meningitis

the drainage pathways resulting

Prematurity

brain of a baby born early is far

beneath the lining of the ventricles

– because of the activity in this area

blood vessels are very fragile and

can easily burst if the baby suffers

too large a swing in blood pressure

do occur, then the baby is at risk

can lead to a blood clot developing,

to break through the wall of the

a blood clot does not develop, the

Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus

Seen in older adults and

How is

Hydrocephalus treated?

unpleasant side effects and are

does not ‘cure’ the hydrocephalus

What is a shunt?

around the obstructed pathways

valve to control the rate of drainage

surgically so that the upper end is

in a ventricle of the brain and the

lower end leads either into the

Other drainage sites such as the

outer lining of the lungs (ventriculo-

Possible Complications

intended to stay in place for life,

although alterations or revisions

What is Hydrocephalus?

individual grows and an operation

What symptoms should be

looked for?

often a reliable guide as to what to

Possible signs of acute shunt

and other visual disturbances,

Possible signs of chronic shunt

If a shunt blockage is suspected,

infected and the lower catheter is

ventriculo-atrial shunt infections,

peritoneal shunts, such infections

after the operation when they were

carried out for shunt infections and

How are shunt problems

treated?

Shunt blockages which are causing

illness usually require an operation

the whole shunt and a course of

antibiotics before insertion of a

Endoscopic

Third Ventriculostomy

all types of hydrocephalus can be

see Shine’s

Hydrocephalus and seizures

hydrocephalus will develop

What are the effects of

hydrocephalus?

associated with hydrocephalus

concentration, reasoning and

can also result in subtle effects,

What is Hydrocephalus?

Third ventriculostomy

procedure

of these effects can be reduced

through teaching strategies or with

people will have very few, if any,

Support

Shine plays a leading role in

providing support, through national

have a child or adult with a disability

and Shine

available on all aspects of care and

regional staff, area and specialist

advisers will give personal advice

Our services are available to

individuals with the disabilities,

parents, health professionals,

schools, local authorities and other

catheter

brain

valve

the heart

heart

tubing to the

An example of a shunt in place

shunt

Help us

Shine relies on people’s generosity and support so we can help our clients

who depend on us for help and advice - people with hydrocephalus,

Shine please visit

www.shinecharity.org.uk or call 01733 421329

Shine’s

approved by Shine’s

Shine

to Shine please visit www.shinecharity.org.uk

SHUNT ALERT CARDS

Shine has a series of Shunt Alert

by people with hydrocephalus

treated by a shunt (this will include

Shine,

please call 01733 555988.

to those which occur when there is

shunt blockage or infection, urgent

should be carried out in a specialist

neuro-surgical unit, in order to

People applying for a Shunt

Alert Card can also request

hydrocephalus, specially written for