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HYDROCEPHALUS
By
Dr. Rima Jani
MPT (PED)
1
Embryology
• Closure of neural
tube by 28 days of
gestation.
• Certain portions of
central lumen
expand to form
basic pattern of
ventricular sytem.
forebrain
midbrain
hindbrain
lateral
3rd
cerebral aqueduct
4th
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Hydrocephalus
The fluid-filled cavities in the
developing neural tube of the
embryo form the ventricles of the
mature brain.
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Hydrocephalus
Ventricles
 Ventricles are filled with
cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)
produced by the choroid
plexus.
ant
body
in
po
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Hydrocephalus
CEREBROSPINAL FLUID
(CSF)
A specialized extracellular
fluid produced by choroid
plexi which bathes, supports
and protects the brain and
spinal cord.
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Hydrocephalus
CEREBROSPINAL FLUID
(CSF)
 CSF is produced by choroid plexi of lateral,
3rd and 4th ventricles.
 Normal total volume of CSF is about 130-150
ml.
 30-50 ml in the ventricles, 100 ml in the
subarachnoid space.
 CSF is produced/resorbed by the choroid
plexus/arachnoid granulations at a rate of
about 20 ml / hr or 500 ml / day.
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Hydrocephalus
CSF
CSF
Lateral ventricle
3rd ventricle
4th ventricle
Subarachnoid space
Foramen
of Monro
Aqueduct of Sylvii
Foramen of
Luschka and
Magendi
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Hydrocephalus
Hydrocephalus 8
 Hydrocephalus is the abnormal accumulation of
cerebrospinal
fluid (CSF) within cavities called ventricles inside the
brain.
 CSF is produced in the ventricles, circulates through the
ventricular
system and is absorbed into the bloodstream
HYDROCEPHALUS
HYDROCEPHALUS
Increase in
ventricular
size due to an
imbalance
between the
production of
CSF and its
drainage by
the arachnoid
villi.
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Hydrocephalus
CAUSES OF HYDROCEPHALUS
1) Hydrocephalus can be present at birth
(congenital) or
2) Acquired as a result of :
 Haemorrhage,
 Meningitis,
 Head trauma,
 Tumours or cysts.
Hydrocephalus 10
CLINICAL
MANIFESTATIONS
 Headache,
nausea/vomiting,
 Cognitive impairment,
decreased level of
consciousness,
 Papilledema, decreased
vision and abducens
palsies,
 Gait abnormalities.
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Hydrocephalus
CLINICAL MANIFESTATIONS
 Hakim's triad of gait instability, urinary incontinence
and dementia is a relatively typical manifestation of the
distinct entity normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH).
 Dilated scalp veins,
 Anterior fontanel wide open and bulging, increased
head circumference,
 Setting sun sign,
 Brisk tendon reflexes, spasticity
 Clonus, Babinsky sign (+)
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Hydrocephalus
CLINICAL MANIFESTATIONS
Hydrocephalus 13
Eyes that appear to gaze downward;
Irritability;
Seizures;
Separated sutures;
Sleepiness;
Vomiting.
Setting Sun Sign
CLINICAL MANIFESTATIONS
 Poor Head Control
 Learning Disabilities
 Poor Psycho-Motor Coordination
 Difficulties in Fine-Motor Skills
 Spatial orientation—the ability to assess
size, distance, direction,
 Position or Quantity—may also be
impaired.
 Problems with Organizational Skills.
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IMAGING STUDIES
 X-RAY PLAIN FILMS:
 SEPARATION OF SUTURES
 ULTRASOUND
 MRI
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Hydrocephalus
Hydrocephalus 16
CT scan of Hydrocephalic child
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CLASSIFICATION
Three major mechanisms account for the
development of hydrocephalus:
 Overproduction of CSF (communicating
type),
 Decreased absorption of CSF by arachnoid
villi (extraventricular, communicating)
 Obstruction to CSF flow (intraventricular,
non-communicating),
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Hydrocephalus
TREATMENT OF HYDROCEPHALUS
Persistent compression of the brain
Gliosis, cortical distortion, neuronal
damage, axonal tearing along longitudinal
fibers (internal capsule), and myelin
destruction
Treatment is mandatory
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Hydrocephalus
TREATMENT OF HYDROCEPHALUS
•Ventricular shunting (VP-VA shunt):
CSF diversion
• Endoscopic third ventriculostomy
(E3V); endoscopic aqueductoplasty
(EA)
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Hydrocephalus
TREATMENT OF HYDROCEPHALUS
• Ventricular shunting (VP-VA shunt)
CEREBRAL SHUNTS:
It involves the placement
of a ventricular catheter
into the cerebral ventricles
to bypass the flow and
drain the excess fluid into
other body cavities, from
where it can be resorbed.
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Hydrocephalus
Endoscopic Third Ventriculostomy
(ETV).
 The surgery involves making a tiny hole
in the third ventricle of the brain to allow
the flow of spinal fluid into another area
of the brain for absorption, thus
eliminating the need for a shunt.
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TREATMENT OF HYDROCEPHALUS
• Complications:
•Shunt malfunction, failure and infection,
•infection of the shunt tract following surgery (the most common
reason for shunt failure is infection of the shunt tract).
•Although a shunt generally works well, it may stop working if it
disconnects, becomes blocked (clogged), infected, or it is
outgrown.
•Another complication can occur when CSF drains more rapidly
than it is produced.
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Hydrocephalus
AIMS OF PHYSIOTHERAPY
INTERVENTION
 Promoting achievement of physical milestones
such as sitting, standing, crawling
 Maximising independence in mobility
 Exercises to improve balance and coordination
 Exercises to stretch or strengthen tight or weak
muscles
 Treating learning disabilities
 Improving cognition
 Improving confidence and quality of life
 Improving tolerance and stamina
Hydrocephalus 24
PHYSIOTHERAPY INTERVENTION
Post operative:
 PHASE I (In I.C.U.)
 Prevention of complications
 Protection of incision site
 Chest clearance
 Passive movements of limbs
Hydrocephalus 25
Note : Head down position is contraindicated.
PHASE II (In Ward)
 Prevention of respiratory & circulatory complications
 Ankle toe exercises, active assisted &/or passive
movements
 Breathing & Chest expansion techniques
 Chest clearance techniques
 Ambulatory training as soon as patient is stable & fit
to move
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PHYSIOTHERAPY INTERVENTION
PHASE III (At O.P.D.)
Motor:
 Neurodevelopmental techniques
 Achieving head control
 Reducing spasticity of muscles
 Strengthening of weak muscles
 Galileo (a technique which uses a vibrating plate to help nerves
and muscles work)
 Postural training
 Gait training (Treadmill therapy), Obstacle walking.
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PHYSIOTHERAPY INTERVENTION
Sensory:
 SENSORY DIET
Use of different textures, modulation in mat, etc.
 VISION
Visual scanning, focusing, tracking.
 AUDITORY
Xylophone activity, listening diff sounds & differentiating.
 BALANCE
Balancing on unstable surfaces, Reach outs.
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PHYSIOTHERAPY INTERVENTION
Special Education :
 To overcome learning disabilities
 Play therapy
 Fine motor skill training
 Use of different instruments to improve ADLs
 Puzzle solving
 Identification of Shapes, size, colours, animals, fruits,
body parts, etc.
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PHYSIOTHERAPY INTERVENTION
PHYSIOTHERAPY INTERVENTION
 OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY:
To make patient independent –
Socially & Financially.
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THANK YOU FOR YOUR KINDEST
ATTENTION…