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Community
medicine
Hydrocephalus
PRESENTED TO: Dr. IQRA WASEEM
PRESENTED BY:
Anisa Fatima
Summiya Fatima
Syeda Janeeta
Zakiya Fatima
Amna shakeel
Shifa Shafiq
What is Hydrocephalus?
Definition
“Hydrocephalus is an abnormal buildup of
cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in the ventricles of
the brain”
hydro-, meaning "water",
and ceph, meaning "head
•The fluid is often under increased pressure
and can compress and damage the brain.
•Some estimates report one to two of every
1,000 babies are born with hydrocephalus.
•If skull is still pliable so it may enlarge.
Hydrocephalus
•Obstruction of CSF
•Increased production of CSF
•Decreased absorption of CSF
Pathogenesis
Pathogenesis
Inherited Causes
These are present at birth and usually due to abnormal
brain or spinal development:
Myelodysplasia
Atresia of Foramen of Monro (blockage of CSF
channel)
Neural Tube Defects
Encephalocele
Spina bifida
Genetic Abnormalities
Aqueductal Stenosis (narrowing of the brain canal)
Dandy-Walker Complex (cyst and underdeveloped
cerebellum)
Other Brain and Spinal Malformations
Acquired Causes
These develop later due to injury, infection, or disease:
Tumor
Meningitis (brain infection)
Other Infections
Hemorrhage (bleeding inside brain)
Arachnoid Cyst
Posterior Fossa Cyst
Traumatic Brain Injury
Idiopathic (no known cause)
Types of Hydrocephalus
•Non-obstructive, or communicating
•Overproduction hydrocephalus
•Obstructive, or non-communicating
•Hydrocephalus occurs when the CSF flows out of the
chambers of the brain (ventricles) and into the spinal
canal, but it is not reabsorbed normally by the tissue
surrounding the brain and spinal cord.
•Sometimes this type of hydrocephalus corrects itself.
Obstruction is normally at subarachnoid area
Non-obstructive, or communicating
Causes of communicating
hydrocephalus
•Intraventricular haemorrhage
•Meningitis and congenital absence of arachnoid villi.
•Scarring and fibrosis of the subarachnoid space following
infection
•Traumatic head injury
•Thickening of arachnoid
Hydrocephalus occurs when the CSF does not flow
properly between or out of the brain ventricles because
of an obstruction, such as from a malformation or
narrowing
Obstructive, or non-communicating
Causes of non communicating
hydrocephalus
•Foramen of Monro obstruction
(channel between the lateral ventricles and the third ventricle.)
•Narrowing of The aqueduct of Silvius (A thin canal connecting
the third and fourth ventricles.)
•Fourth ventricle obstruction
•Foramen of Luschka and foramen of Magendie obstruction
(These are exit points from the fourth ventricle into the
subarachnoid space)
•Rare cases
•The brain tissue makes too much CSF and the body
can't properly absorb or distribute the high amount of
fluid.
Overproduction hydrocephalus
Sign and symptoms
Infants
•Abnormal large head
•Vomiting
•Sleepiness
•Irritability
•An inability to look upwards
•Seizures
Sign and symptoms
older children and Adults
•Headache
•Nausea
•Blurred Vision
•Problems With Balance
•Delayed Development
•Facial Changes
•Crossed Eyes
Complication of Hydrocephalus
•Brain Damage
•Seizures
•Infection
•Nerve Damage
•Impaired Growth
•Enlarged Head
Diagnostic Test for Hydrocephalus
Ultrasound
Used in infants to
view ventricular
size through
fontanelle.
MRI & CT Scan
Detailed imaging
of brain structure
and fluid buildup.
Neurological assessment
and
head circumference
measurement.
Physical Exam
•Ultrasound
•CT-Scan
•MRI
•Lumbar Puncture
•Intracranial Pressure Monitoring
•Neuropsychology
Treatment Options:
Cerebral Shunts
ETV
Innovative Approaches
Cerebral shunts
Involves the placement of a
ventricular catheter (a tube
made of silastic), into the
cerebral ventricles to bypass
the flow
obstruction/malfunctioning
arachnoidal granulations and
drain the excess fluid into
other body cavities, from
where it can be resorbed.
Drained to:
•Peritonealcavity
•Right atrium(VA)
•Pleural cavity
(VP)
•Gallbladder
Endoscopic third
ventriculoscopy(ETV)
•Surgically created opening in
the floor of the third
ventricle allows the CSF to
flow directly to the basal
cisterns, thereby shortcutting
any
obstruction, as in aqueductal
stenosis.
Living with Hydrocephalus: Support,
Resources, and Long-Term Management
Support Networks
Patient groups,
counseling, and
advocacy
organizations.
Management
Regular follow-ups
and monitoring for
shunt function.
Lifestyle
Healthy habits,
awareness of symptom
changes, and safety.
The Future of Hydrocephalus Treatment: Research
and Emerging Therapies
Advanced Imaging
Stem Cell Therapy
Potential for brain
tissue repair and
regeneration.
Programmable
Valves
Allow non-invasive
adjustments to
shunt pressure.
Treatment Options
1.Medical Management
Temporary measures: diuretics,
acetazolamide
2.Surgical Treatments:
Shunt Systems
Ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt
Ventriculoatrial (VA) shunt
Physiotherapy Treatment
Goals of Physiotherapy
Improve mobility
Enhance coordination
Promote independence
Expanded Physiotherapy: Balance
Training Techniques
• Static and dynamic balance activities
• Use of balance boards and physioballs
• Assistive devices (walker, cane)
• Parallel bar walking
• Step pattern training
• Core stability exercises
• Posture correction routines
• Functional mobility tasks
Community Guidelines
Monitor and Manage Risk Factors:
Early screening and regular monitoring of infections, head trauma, or
congenital issues helps prevent complications and detect hydrocephalus
before it worsens
Community Guidelines
Community-based rehab, emotional support, and access to
physiotherapy boost recovery, reduce disability, and improve
quality of life after treatment
Support Post-Hydrocephalus and Rehab:
Community Guidelines
Promote awareness, remove physical and social barriers, and
offer educational support to ensure kids and adults with
hydrocephalus thrive without stigma
Make an Inclusive Environment
Case Study: Infant with Congenital
Hydrocephalus
• Symptoms: Enlarged head, vomiting
• Treatment: VP shunt
• Outcome: Improved developmental milestones
Motivational Quote
"BELIEVE YOU CAN AND YOU'RE HALFWAY
THERE." – THEODORE ROOSEVELT
Hydrocephalus_Presentation_30_Slides.pdf.pdf