Hydrocephalus pathophysiology
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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1];Associate Editor-In-Chief:Syed Ahsan Hussain, M.D.[2] Cafer Zorkun M.D., PhD.,Kalsang Dolma, M.B.B.S.[3]
Overview
Hydrocephalus mostly results due to CSF flow obstruction, hindering the free passage of cerebrospinal fluid through the ventricular system and it can also be caused by overproduction of cerebrospinal fluid (relative obstruction).
Pathophysiology
- The pathophysiology of hydrocephalus is given below:.[1]
- In a normal healthy person, CSF continuously circulates through the brain and its ventricles and the spinal cord.
- CSF is continuously drained into the circulatory system.
- Hydrocephalus is usually due to blockage of cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) outflow in the brain ventricles or in the subarachnoid space over the brain.
- If the foramina of the fourth ventricle or the cerebral aqueduct are blocked, cereobrospinal fluid (CSF) can accumulate within the ventricles. This condition is called Internal hydrocephalus.
- The another condition that causes increase in CSF is from an overproduction of the CSF fluid.
- It is due to the congenital malformation of the tract that causes blockage of the normal CSF drainage.
- Another condition causes increase in CSF is due the complications of head injuries and infections
- In patient with hydrocephalus, the CSF accumulates in the ventricles, which compresses the skull and brain which results in increase skull size.
- The elevated intracranial pressure may cause compression of the brain, leading to brain damage and other complications.
- Children who have had hydrocephalus may have very small ventricles.
- Compression of the nervous tissue usually results in irreversible brain damage.
References
- ↑ "Hydrocephalus Fact Sheet", National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. (August 2005).