(Water on the Brain)
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- An excess of CSF is produced (rare)
- A blockage that doesn't allow CSF to drain properly (more commonly)
- Brain tumors
- Cancer in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)
- Swelling in the CSF (such as sarcoidosis)
- Cysts in the brain
- Malformations of the brain, such as:
- Brain injuries
- Infections of the brain or the meninges can be caused by a number of agents including bacteria, mycobacteria, fungus, viruses, and parasites, such as:
- Problems with the blood vessel in the brain
- Bleeding into the brain or CSF space
- Headache (often worse when lying down or upon first awakening in the morning or with straining)
- Nausea / Vomiting
- Problems with balance
- Difficulty walking
- Poor coordination
- Personality changes
- Memory problems
- Dementia in the elderly
- Coma and death
- Slow development
- Loss of developmental milestones—no longer able to do activities they once could do
- Bulging fontanelle (soft spot on the head)
- Large head circumference
- Shunt placement (ventriculoperitoneal shunt)—a shunt (a tube placed into the brain) allows excess CSF to drain into another area, usually the abdomen. Sometimes a temporary extraventricular drain (EVD) is placed.
- Third ventriculostomy—a hole is created in an area of the brain. It allows the CSF to flow out of the area where it is building up.
- Removal of the obstruction of CSF flow. For example: removal of tumor or cyst
- Lumbar puncture (spinal tap)—This involves the insertion of a needle between the back bones in the back to remove excess CSF.
- Medicines—In some cases, medicines, such as acetazolamide (Diamox) and furosemide (Lasix), may decrease the production of CSF.
- Other medicines such as steroids or mannitol may decrease swelling around lesions that are causing obstruction of CSF flow.
- Get regular prenatal care.
- Keep your child’s vaccines up to date.
- Protect yourself or your child from head injuries.
Toxoplasmosis—foodborne illness that may be prevented by:
- Carefully cook meat and vegetables.
- Correctly clean contaminated knives and cutting surfaces.
- Avoid handling cat litter, or wear gloves when cleaning the litter box.
- Cytomegalovirus (CMV)—talk to your doctor about identifying CMV in pregnancy
- Lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCV) from pet rodents (mice, rats, hamsters)—avoid rodent contact during pregnancy
- Viruses that cause chickenpox or mumps—can be prevented with vaccinations
American Neurological Association http://www.aneuroa.org/
Hydrocephalus Foundation, Inc. http://www.hydrocephalus.org/
National Institute for Neurological Disorders and Stroke http://www.ninds.nih.gov/
Health Canada http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/
Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus Association of Canada http://www.sbhac.ca/
Goetz CG. Textbook of Clinical Neurology. 3rd ed. Philadelphia, PA: WB Saunders Company; 2007.
Hydrocephalus in adults. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: http://www.ebscohost.com/dynamed/what.php . Updated May 25, 2012. Accessed September 20, 2012.
Hydrocephalus in children. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: http://www.ebscohost.com/dynamed/what.php . Updated May 21, 2012. Accessed September 20, 2012.
Hydrocephalus fact sheet. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke website. Available at: http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/hydrocephalus/detail%5Fhydrocephalus.htm . Updated December 16, 2011. Accessed September 20, 2012.
Kliegman R, Behrman RE, Jenson HB, Stanton BF. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 18th ed. Philadelphia, PA: WB Saunders Company; 2007.
- Reviewer: Rimas Lukas, MD
- Review Date: 09/2012 -
- Update Date: 00/93/2012 -
This content is reviewed regularly and is updated when new and relevant evidence is made available. This information is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with questions regarding a medical condition.
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