Hydrocephalus

• What is hydrocephalus?


  Excessive volume of CSF in the brain ventricles
• How do patients present with hydrocephalus?


  Symptoms due to raised ICP:

  • Headache
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Papilloedema
• What is some cranial characteristics seen in infants with hydrocephalus?


  Inc head circumference

  Ant fontanelle = bulging and tense

  Sunset eyes
• What is sunset eyes?


  Unable to move their gaze upwards
• What are the 2 characteristics of hydrocephalus?


  Obstructive

  Non-obstructive
• What is normal pressure hydrocephalus?


  Form of non-obstructive hydrocephalus

  Characterised by normal ICP
• What investigations are done for hydrocephalus?


  Head CT

  MRI
• What treatment is done for hydrocephalus?


  External ventricular drain

  Ventriculoperitoneal shunt