amoxil for sale canada

Also known as water in the brain, hydrocephalus in the pediatric population occurs due to the accumulation of spinal fluid within the brain.

It is an extremely dangerous condition that arises due to a hydrodynamic disturbance in the flow, formation, and/ or absorption of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Most cases are fatal if left untreated.

Hydrocephalus in the general population has a bimodal peak in terms of incidence. The first is seen in infancy and tends to be related to congenital malformations. The second peak occurs in adulthood after the sixth decade of life.

Pathophysiology

CSF is fairly similar to the liquid component of blood. It contains a variety of nutrients and salts, such as glucose and sodium. It is produced every minute of our lives by the choroid plexus found within the ventricular system of our central nervous system (CNS). The ventricular system is basically a system of connected chambers within the brain.

Once produced by the choroid plexus, CSF flows sequentially through the lateral ventricle, interventricular foramen of Monro, then the third ventricle, the Sylvius cerebral aqueduct, the fourth ventricle, the Luschka lateral foramina, the Magendie medial foramen, the subarachnoid space, and arachnoid granulation followed by the dural sinus before finally being reabsorbed into venous drainage.

The cycle of production, flow, and absorption is rather orderly and ensures a protective environment within the CNS in addition to maintaining the balance of the nutrients and salts it contains. Any disruption to any component of the cycle may have deleterious consequences.

While most often hydrocephalus is due to a congenital defect, there is no known single cause implicated. Some studies suggest a single chromosomal defect, while others link it to other congenital disorders like spina bifida. In addition to being born with congenital defects that can cause hydrocephalus, anatomically normal children can also develop hydrocephalus due to a plethora of complications. These complications include traumatic head injuries, tumors of the CNS, meningitis, premature birth, and intraventricular or subarachnoid hemorrhaging.

Symptoms

The signs of hydrocephalus as well as the symptoms may vary depending on the age of onset. In infants, the changes that may be noted are an unusually big head that rapidly increases in size with a bulging fontanel, also known as a soft spot, at the top of the head. These infants may experience physical symptoms such as vomiting, poor feeding, sleepiness, seizures, ‘sun-setting of the eyes’ (i.e., downward fixation of the eyes), and significant deficits in muscle strength and tone as well as growth.

Toddlers and older children may present with an abnormally larger head and similar physical symptoms seen in infants as well as unstable balance, poor coordination, and great difficulty staying awake or being aroused from sleeping. They may also exhibit cognitive and behavioral changes with a decline in academic performance, irritability, and personality changes.

Diagnosis and Treatment

A rapidly enlarging head during infancy is easily detected by a pediatrician or family physician, while other signs and symptoms in older children may suggest hydrocephalus. Suspicions may be confirmed with the help of radiographic techniques. In months 6 – 12 of an infant’s life, diagnosis may be done using ultrasound. Once the child’s skull fuses, MRI or CT scans are the techniques used, with the former being favored overall by most neurosurgeons. This is because it provides a better radiographic picture of the brain. However, it takes longer than a CT and requires sedation in most cases.

Surgery is mostly the only option once a diagnosis of hydrocephalus has been made. The surgery done depends on the cause of the disruption to the CSF hydrodynamics. If there is a mass causing obstruction to the flow of CSF and it can be surgically removed, then this is done.

Immovable blockages require the creation of a bypass shunt to channel fluid from the ventricles to other parts of the body such as the chest or abdominal cavity, with the latter being preferred, because the CSF is easily absorbed back into the bloodstream via the bowels. In addition to shunt placement, choroid plexus cauterization combined with third ventriculostomy can also be done to reduce the production of CSF.

Further Reading

• All Hydrocephalus Content
• What is Hydrocephalus?
• Hydrocephalus Research
• Hydrocephalus Prognosis

Written by

Dr. Damien Jonas Wilson

Dr. Damien Jonas Wilson is a medical doctor from St. Martin in the Carribean. He was awarded his Medical Degree (MD) from the University of Zagreb Teaching Hospital. His training in general medicine and surgery compliments his degree in biomolecular engineering (BASc.Eng.) from Utrecht, the Netherlands. During this degree, he completed a dissertation in the field of oncology at the Harvard Medical School/ Massachusetts General Hospital. Dr. Wilson currently works in the UK as a medical practitioner.