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This article provides a brief explanation of what hydrocephalus is and how different areas of the brain can be affected.
What is Hydrocephalus?
Hydrocephalus is a build up of cerebrospinal fluid on the brain. The brain needs cerebrospinal fluid as it acts as a protection for the brain as well as removing waste products from the brain and providing the necessary hormones to the brain to enable it to function correctly.
However, too much cerebrospinal fluid can be dangerous and can put pressure on the brain causing injury and damage as a result. The brain produces cerebrospinal fluid constantly and as new fluid is produced the old fluid is released and absorbed into the blood vessels. A build up of the fluid can occur if the process is interrupted.
There are three main types of hydrocephalus:
Congenital Hydrocephalus
This condition is inherent from birth and occurs as a result of a birth defect. Physical signs indicative of this condition include an unusually large head, a bulge at the top of the soft spot on the head, droopy eyes and muscle spasms. Symptoms may include poor feeding, irritability, vomiting and drowsiness.
A baby born with this condition is also likely to suffer from a disease or illness known to cause birth defects such as spina bifida. Alternatively they may have contracted an infection from their mother during pregnancy, which can cause congenital hydrocephalus.
It is sometimes possible to diagnose the condition before birth via an ultrasound scan. Otherwise CT and/or MRI scanning of the brain after birth can diagnose the condition.
Acquired Hydrocephalus
This condition most commonly develops following a serious head injury either as a result of trauma or as a result of a complication of another condition such as a stroke, meningitis or brain tumour. Symptoms to look out for include those cited above as well as headaches, changes in personality, double or blurred vision, fitting, incontinence, difficulty walking.
Diagnosis is made by carrying out CT and/or MRI scans on the brain.
Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus
This condition usually only occurs in older people who are above 50 years of age. This is the most rare form of hydrocephalus and its origin is largely unknown in most cases. In addition, the symptoms usually develop slowly over time rather than occurring spontaneously.
Diagnosis can be extremely difficult because the damage to the brain will not always readily appear on CT and/or MRI scans due to the slow development of this type of hydrocephalus. Other diagnostic criteria are considered such as assessing the patients ability to walk and their mental ability.
Treatment for hydrocephalus regardless of type can often involve surgical intervention. A shunt is commonly placed inside the brain and is a thin tube, which helps to drain away the excess cerebrospinal fluid. Once inserted the shunt remains inside the brain and further treatment will hopefully not be necessary. However, on occasion the shunt can become blocked and if this happens further surgery will be required to repair and/or replace the shunt.
In the case of Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus careful consideration will need to be given as to whether the insertion of a shunt is the best option for the patient. Research shows that this is not always the case and additional tests will be carried out first to determine whether or not this approach is likely to be of significant benefit.
The effects of hydrocephalus vary according to the individual concerned and it is not always possible to avoid brain damage occurring. The insertion of a shunt will not provide a cure to the condition but rather it will provide a mechanism for hopefully preventing the condition from getting worse. Many babies born with congenital hydrocephalus will suffer from permanent brain damage resulting in difficulties with learning, mobility, memory and speech.
It is important for a patient with hydrocephalus to receive appropriate medical treatment as quickly as possible. Delays in diagnosing and treating the condition can result in permanent damage to the brain.
If you believe that you have been the victim of a medical error or negligence in relation to the diagnosis of or treatment of hydrocephalus it may be possible to claim compensation. Compensation will not resolve the medical issues but it may ease the financial burden by providing the money to pay for necessary care, therapy, and equipment. If you would like to discuss a possible claim please contact HeadInjuryUK who are specialist brain injury solicitors who will be able to offer you further advice and information.
This article provides a brief explanation of what hydrocephalus is and how different areas of the brain can be affected.
What is Hydrocephalus?
Hydrocephalus is a build up of cerebrospinal fluid on the brain. The brain needs cerebrospinal fluid as it acts as a protection for the brain as well as removing waste products from the brain and providing the necessary hormones to the brain to enable it to function correctly.
However, too much cerebrospinal fluid can be dangerous and can put pressure on the brain causing injury and damage as a result. The brain produces cerebrospinal fluid constantly and as new fluid is produced the old fluid is released and absorbed into the blood vessels. A build up of the fluid can occur if the process is interrupted.
There are three main types of hydrocephalus:
Congenital Hydrocephalus
This condition is inherent from birth and occurs as a result of a birth defect. Physical signs indicative of this condition include an unusually large head, a bulge at the top of the soft spot on the head, droopy eyes and muscle spasms. Symptoms may include poor feeding, irritability, vomiting and drowsiness.
A baby born with this condition is also likely to suffer from a disease or illness known to cause birth defects such as spina bifida. Alternatively they may have contracted an infection from their mother during pregnancy, which can cause congenital hydrocephalus.
It is sometimes possible to diagnose the condition before birth via an ultrasound scan. Otherwise CT and/or MRI scanning of the brain after birth can diagnose the condition.
Acquired Hydrocephalus
This condition most commonly develops following a serious head injury either as a result of trauma or as a result of a complication of another condition such as a stroke, meningitis or brain tumour. Symptoms to look out for include those cited above as well as headaches, changes in personality, double or blurred vision, fitting, incontinence, difficulty walking.
Diagnosis is made by carrying out CT and/or MRI scans on the brain.
Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus
This condition usually only occurs in older people who are above 50 years of age. This is the most rare form of hydrocephalus and its origin is largely unknown in most cases. In addition, the symptoms usually develop slowly over time rather than occurring spontaneously.
Diagnosis can be extremely difficult because the damage to the brain will not always readily appear on CT and/or MRI scans due to the slow development of this type of hydrocephalus. Other diagnostic criteria are considered such as assessing the patients ability to walk and their mental ability.
Treatment for hydrocephalus regardless of type can often involve surgical intervention. A shunt is commonly placed inside the brain and is a thin tube, which helps to drain away the excess cerebrospinal fluid. Once inserted the shunt remains inside the brain and further treatment will hopefully not be necessary. However, on occasion the shunt can become blocked and if this happens further surgery will be required to repair and/or replace the shunt.
In the case of Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus careful consideration will need to be given as to whether the insertion of a shunt is the best option for the patient. Research shows that this is not always the case and additional tests will be carried out first to determine whether or not this approach is likely to be of significant benefit.
The effects of hydrocephalus vary according to the individual concerned and it is not always possible to avoid brain damage occurring. The insertion of a shunt will not provide a cure to the condition but rather it will provide a mechanism for hopefully preventing the condition from getting worse. Many babies born with congenital hydrocephalus will suffer from permanent brain damage resulting in difficulties with learning, mobility, memory and speech.
It is important for a patient with hydrocephalus to receive appropriate medical treatment as quickly as possible. Delays in diagnosing and treating the condition can result in permanent damage to the brain.
If you believe that you have been the victim of a medical error or negligence in relation to the diagnosis of or treatment of hydrocephalus it may be possible to claim compensation. Compensation will not resolve the medical issues but it may ease the financial burden by providing the money to pay for necessary care, therapy, and equipment. If you would like to discuss a possible claim please contact HeadInjuryUK who are specialist brain injury solicitors who will be able to offer you further advice and information.
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