Hydrocephalus: Introduction

Hydrocephalus is a neurosurgical condition in which there is excessive accumulation of brain water (called cerebrospinal fluid) in the head. Hydro = water; cephalus = head. It is rare but certainly present in our community.

Many of the children, and alas! Adults that you see around with big heads suffer from this condition. Do not stigmatize the sufferer, it is definitely not his/her making.

The causes of the condition are many; some are congenital (occur before birth) while some others are acquired (contracted after birth). To properly understand the causes of hydrocephalus, you need to appreciate the formation and flow of the brain water. A simple overview of this is as follows:

• The brain has large spaces within it called the ventricle (four of them, called right lateral, left lateral, third & fourth)

• The ventricles communicate with a space surrounding the brain, called the subarachnoid space through openings (foramina in the 4th ventricle)

• The subarachnoid space in turn coomunicates with a similar space surrounding the spinal cord

• Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is produced by flower like structures in the ventricles called the choroid plexus

• The fuid circulate in the ventricle and into the subarachnoid space (around the brain and the spinal cord)

• The fluid get absorbed into the blood stream via finger-like structures called arachnoid villi located in the coverings of the brain

• CSF production is in dynamic balance with absorption to prevent its accumulation.

From the foregoing, you would probably have deduced that hydrocephalus can result from:
1. Excessive CSF production by the choroid plexuses
2. Blockage in the CSF circulation, either within the ventricle, or on the outside of them
3. Impairment of CSF absorption by the arachnoid villi.

Simple isn’t it? You don’t have to be a genius to understand this. Watchout for my updates on this topic. I will appreciate your feedback on how useful you think this introduction is. I will also make myself available on this site to answer any question that bothers you about this very important condition. In addition, I shall appreciate your comments on the topic.

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