What Is Hydrocephalus?
Hydrocephalus -- which roughly means “water on the brain” -- is the buildup of fluid in the cavities (ventricles) deep within the brain. This fluid doesn’t flow or get absorbed the way it should. That can lead to backups and blockages that put pressure on your brain.
You’ve probably heard that the human body is mostly water. That’s true. From your blood to the fluids that flow in and around your tissues and organs, liquid makes up about 70% of your body.
Your head is no different. Your skull is filled with a fluid that surrounds your brain’s folds and lobes. It’s called cerebrospinal fluid, and it cushions your brain from injuries and has nutrients and proteins that help keep it healthy and working.
Cerebrospinal fluid also:
Allows the relatively heavy brain to float within the skull
Removes waste products of the brain’s metabolism
Flows back and forth between the brain cavity and spinal column to regulate pressure in the brain
Hydrocephalus happens most often in infants or in adults older than 60, but you can have it at any age. It can’t be cured, but with early diagnosis and treatment, people can live active lives.
Hydrocephalus Symptoms
Symptoms of hydrocephalus can be different depending on your age. In babies, they include:
An unusually large head that gets bigger quickly
The soft spot on top of a baby’s head is firm or bulging
Eyes that are focused downward (sometimes called “sunsetting of the eyes”)
Crankiness or irritability
Vomiting or poor feeding
Seizures
Poor muscle tone and strength
Less responsive to touch
Poor growth
Symptoms of hydrocephalus in toddlers and children:
Headaches
Eyes that are focused downward (sometimes called “sunsetting of the eyes”)
Blurry vision
An unusually large head
Sleepiness or low energy
Nausea or vomiting
Bad balance or coordination
Lack of appetite
Seizures
Peeing often or loss of bladder control
Crankiness or change in mood
Change in personality
Trouble doing well in school
Delays or problems in already acquired skills, such as walking and talking
Symptoms of hydrocephalus in adults younger than 60:
Headaches
Tiredness
Poor balance or coordination
Peeing often or loss of bladder control
Changes in vision
A drop-off in memory or concentration that causes problems at work
Symptoms of hydrocephalus in adults 60 or older:
Peeing often or loss of bladder control
Memory loss
Trouble with planning or processing skills
Problems walking or poor coordination
Dementia
General slowing of movements
Hydrocephalus Causes
The three main causes of hydrocephalus are:
A blockage. Tumors, cysts, birth defects, and other objects in the brain can block or affect the normal flow of cerebrospinal fluid.
Poor fluid absorption. Inflammation, injuries, or infections like bacterial meningitis can keep your brain tissues from taking in cerebrospinal fluid.
- Too much fluid. In rare cases, your body makes more cerebrospinal fluid than your brain can handle.
Types of Hydrocephalus
The four main types of hydrocephalus are:
Congenital hydrocephalus. This is when someone is born with hydrocephalus.
Compensated hydrocephalus. This shows up early in life -- sometimes before birth -- but doesn’t cause symptoms until later in life.
Acquired hydrocephalus. This is caused by a tumor, cyst, head injury, or a brain infection.
Normal pressure hydrocephalus. This usually shows up in older adults and leads to a swelling in the small, open areas of the brain but without any change in pressure. Doctors aren’t sure what causes this type.
Some experts refer to hydrocephalus as either “communicating” -- meaning the cerebrospinal fluid is flowing freely -- or “non-communicating,” which is when there’s a blockage.
Hydrocephalus Diagnosis
Your doctor will start with a physical examination and ask about your symptoms, then recommend tests to look for signs of hydrocephalus. Tests may include:
Neurological exam to check muscle strength, reflexes, coordination, balance, vision, eye movement, hearing, mental functioning, and mood
Ultrasound, which uses sound waves to create an image inside the body
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), a scan that uses powerful magnets and radio waves to make detailed images of your brain
Computerized tomography (CT) scan, a series of X-rays taken from different angles that are put together to make a more complete picture of your brain
Spinal tap, when a doctor inserts a needle into the lower back in order to remove and test some of the fluid
Intracranial pressure monitoring (ICP), which uses a small monitor inserted into the brain to measure how much swelling is there
Fundoscopic exam, which looks at the nerve behind the eye to see if swelling is present
Hydrocephalus Treatments
If your symptoms are mild, you may not need treatment. If they’re serious, your doctor probably will recommend surgery to put a flexible plastic tube called a shunt in your brain to redirect the cerebrospinal fluid into another part of your body, like your belly. The shunt typically isn’t ever removed, and regular checkups are important to make sure it’s working.
In some cases, hydrocephalus can be treated without using a shunt. One type of surgery, endoscopic third ventriculostomy, opens a pathway in your brain so the fluid can flow freely, while the other closes off the part of your brain that makes cerebrospinal fluid.
Many people with hydrocephalus find help through therapy and education. Specialists may provide:
Occupational therapy to help children and adults with life skills
Developmental therapy to help children learn social behaviors
Special education for learning disabilities
Mental health care or social workers to provide emotional support and help families find services
Dementia care
Hydrocephalus Complications
It’s important to get medical help right away if anything goes wrong after treatment for hydrocephalus.
Complications of shunt systems can happen when the shunt is blocked and stops working or when an infection occurs. This can cause cerebral spinal fluid to build up again. Signs and symptoms may include:
Headache
Double vision or sensitivity to light
Nausea or vomiting
Soreness of the neck or shoulder muscles
Seizures
Redness or tenderness along the shunt tract
Low-grade fever
Sleepiness or tiredness
Return of hydrocephalus symptoms
The most common complication of ETV surgery is when the pathway created by the surgery closes and it leads to infection. Signs of such problem may include:
Fever
Bleeding
Short-term memory loss
Temporary problems with the endocrine system, which regulates hormones
If any previous symptoms of hydrocephalus symptoms come back, it’s a sign of a complication. Other things to look for include:
Trouble waking up or staying awake. Get urgent care for this symptom because it may lead to a coma.
Swelling or redness along shunt tract
Fever
Prominent scalp veins in babies
Hydrocephalus Prevention
Some, but not all causes of hydrocephalus can be prevented.
Safety gear such as helmets can help prevent head injuries while playing sports, riding a bike, and other activities.
Car seats and seatbelts can help protect children in the car.
Regular health care during pregnancy can help lower the chances of problems during pregnancy, including infection and premature birth.
Meningitis was once a common cause of hydrocephalus. Ask your doctor about a vaccine.
Hydrocephalus Outlook
The long-term effects of hydrocephalus vary widely and depend on the cause and the extent of symptoms.
Without treatment, hydrocephalus will get worse over time, but with surgery, therapy, and education, many people live relatively active lives. The earlier it's diagnosed, the better the chances for successful treatment and recovery.