Hydrocephalus is a complex pathology caused by an increase in the amount or pressure of cerebrospinal fluid in the ventricular cavities of the brain.
Causes of hydrocephalus
The causes of hydrocephalus are divided into two groups. On the one hand, there are obstructive causes, which originate with a resistance after the passage of cerebrospinal fluid through its physiological circuit (congenital stenosis, intraventricular tumors…).
On the other hand, there are causes due to a reduction or decrease in the reabsorptive capacity of the cerebrospinal fluid (post-traumatic, chronic hydrocephalus…).
However, obstructive etiology is the most common in pediatric age and during the first decades of life, while arreabsorptive etiology is more common later in life, although both can occur at any age.
Signs and symptoms of hydrocephalus
Hydrocephalus can occur acutely, with symptoms consisting basically of neurological deterioration, vomiting, nausea, and with a low level of consciousness, these symptoms being more frequent in obstructive hydrocephalus.
The other option is that hydrocephalus presents in a chronic form. In this case, the most frequent symptoms are gait disturbance, inability to control the sphincter and progressive memory impairment (more common in arreabsorptive hydrocephalus).
In order to diagnose this pathology it is necessary -apart from a detailed clinical history- to perform diagnostic imaging tests, such as MRI or CT. These can be complemented with hydrodynamic and functional tests. At GEN we carry out the most modern tests for the study and diagnosis of this pathology.
Treatment of hydrocephalus
Once the cause of the disease has been established, ventriculo-peritoneal shunt valves can be placed, which will channel cerebrospinal fluid from the ventricular system to the peritoneal cavity, where it is reabsorbed. Another option is the performance of intraventicular endoscopy, this technique being indicated in the case of obstructive pathology. This is based on a microcamera approach to the ventricular cavities and openings are made to connect the ventricular system with other subarachnoid spaces, to find another pathway to the cerebrospinal fluid. Brain lesions that may compromise or compromise the normal flow of CSF can also be removed and biopsied with this procedure.
Endoscopic treatment for hydrocephalus
In recent years, work has been done and developed in the application of endoscopic techniques applied in Neurosurgery. In fact, this instrument has shown that it has multiple options in neurosurgical pathology, and the GEN group has made an important effort to master its use, thus applying it to a large number of interventions.
Today, the use of endoscopy is endorsed for interventions at the cerebral, interventricular or endonasal level, as well as at the spinal level. Endoscopy can be applied to a large number of pathologies, both in surgeries performed through the endoscope itself and in endoscopy-assisted surgeries.
The incorporation of this technology allows minimally invasive approaches to be carried out in areas that are very difficult to access, achieving good results that cause less damage to adjacent tissues, a fact that translates into an easier postoperative period and a much shorter hospital stay.
If you would like more information about hydrocephalus or a similar problem, please consult a specialist in Neurosurgery.