Does mild hydrocephalus go away?
Hydrocephalus can happen at any age, but it occurs more frequently among infants and adults 60 and over. Surgical treatment for hydrocephalus can restore and maintain normal cerebrospinal fluid levels in the brain.
Does mild hydrocephalus need treatment?
In some acquired cases, as with tumors and infections, resolving the underlying condition will resolve the hydrocephalus, but most patients still require surgical intervention. There are generally two approaches to treating hydrocephalus. The most common treatment is the placement of a shunt.
Is obstructive hydrocephalus curable?
Hydrocephalus is a chronic condition. It can be controlled, but usually not cured. With appropriate early treatment, however, many people with hydrocephalus lead normal lives with few limitations. Hydrocephalus can occur at any age, but is most common in infants and adults age 60 and older.
Can hydrocephalus fix itself?
It does not go away on its own and needs special treatment. Hydrocephalus is due to the accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in the cavities deep within the brain. These cavities are called ventricles.
Is hydrocephalus a terminal illness?
Hydrocephalus is a build-up of fluid in the brain. The excess fluid puts pressure on the brain, which can damage it. If left untreated, hydrocephalus can be fatal.
How is mild hydrocephalus treated?
The most common treatment for hydrocephalus is the surgical insertion of a drainage system, called a shunt. It consists of a long, flexible tube with a valve that keeps fluid from the brain flowing in the right direction and at the proper rate. One end of the tubing is usually placed in one of the brain’s ventricles.
Is hydrocephalus considered special needs?
Among the special needs adoptive parents may encounter is Hydrocephalus, or hydrocephaly. Hydrocephalus is an abnormal accumulation of spinal fluid in the brain, once informally called “water on the brain.” It is a relatively rare condition, impacting perhaps 1 to 2 of every 1,000 babies born.
How Serious Is shunt surgery?
Placement of a shunt is a very safe procedure. However, complications can occur during or after the procedure. Risks associated with any surgical procedure include excessive bleeding and infection.
Does a shunt stay in forever?
VP shunts do not work forever. When the shunt stops working: The child can have another buildup of fluid in the brain. Another surgery is needed to fix it.
What is the life expectancy of a child who has hydrocephalus?
Children often have a full life span if hydrocephalus is caught early and treated. Infants who undergo surgical treatment to reduce the excess fluid in the brain and survive to age one will not have a shortened life expectancy due to hydrocephalus. Adults who develop hydrocephalus typically have a shortened life span.
Can you die of hydrocephalus?
Hydrocephalus can be very serious, and even fatal, if left untreated. Fifty percent of those who fail to have their hydrocephalus treated will die. The other half survive with what is called arrested hydrocephalus.
Can hydrocephalus be cured?
Hydrocephalus has no cure, but there are treatments that allow those affected to lead fairly normal lives with the condition. In some cases, it is possible for the blockage that is causing the fluid to build in the brain to be surgically removed. If the blockage is successfully removed,…
What are the differential diagnoses for hydrocephalus?
Differential Diagnosis of Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus Key features. Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus (NPH) is a rare disorder that involves the build-up of fluid in the brain. Treatment. NPH can occasionally be treated by surgically inserting a shunt to drain fluid from the brain to the abdomen. Pathology. NPH occurs when fluid surrounding the brain and spinal cord is unable to drain normally.
