Post on 29-Nov-2014
description
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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info@shinecharity.org.uk
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Peterborough
PE1 2UQ
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