Hydrocephalus: Difference between revisions

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==Background==
==Background==
Hydrocephalus is caused by excessive cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) accumulation often from an obstructive process such as CSF shunt malfunction or subarachnoid hemorrhage. Patients can also suffer from nonobstructive hydrocephalus due to excessive production of CSF.<ref>Shprecher D. et al. Normal pressure hydrocephalus: diagnosis and treatment. Curr Neurol Neurosci Rep. 2008;8(5):371-376.</ref>
*Caused by excessive [[cerebrospinal fluid]] accumulation, often from an obstructive process such as [[CSF shunt malfunction]] or [[subarachnoid hemorrhage]]
*Patients can also suffer from nonobstructive hydrocephalus due to excessive production of [[CSF]]<ref>Shprecher D. et al. Normal pressure hydrocephalus: diagnosis and treatment. Curr Neurol Neurosci Rep. 2008;8(5):371-376.</ref>


==Clinical Features==
==Clinical Features==
[[File:Hydrocephalus with sunset eyes.jpg|thumb|Pediatric hydrocephalus with "sunset eyes."]]
*[[Headache]]
*[[Headache]]
*[[Diplopia]]
*[[Diplopia]]
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*[[Nausea and Vomiting]]
*[[Nausea and Vomiting]]
*[[Altered Mental Status]]
*[[Altered Mental Status]]
*Peds (in addition to above):
 
**Large fontanelles
===Pediatric===
**Dilated scalp veins
''In addition to above:''
**"Cracked pot" sound on percussion
*Large fontanelles
**Irritability
*Dilated scalp veins
**Increased lower extremity tone
*"Cracked pot" sound on percussion
**Remember that Babinski sign is normal up to 3 years of age
*Irritability
*Increased lower extremity tone
*Remember that Babinski sign is normal up to 3 years of age


==Differential Diagnosis==
==Differential Diagnosis==
{{Headache DDX}}


==Workup==
==Evaluation==
[[File:Hydrocephalus (cropped).jpg|thumb|Typical hydrocephalus as seen on a brain CT. The lateral ventricles (black areas in the middle of the brain) are abnormally large and filled with fluid.]]
[[File:Hydrocephalus.JPG|thumb|Obstructive hydrocephalus cause by a posterior fossa cyst in a 12 month old. Patient presented with loss of developmental milestones.]]
*Physical Exam to assess for papilledema or neuro defects
*Physical Exam to assess for papilledema or neuro defects
*CT Brain non contrast
*[[head CT|CT Brain]] non contrast
**In acute cases will see dilated ventricles and tight sulci
**In acute cases will see dilated ventricles and tight sulci
**In chronic cases (loss of tissue with age, alcoholism, etc) will see dilated ventricles with large amount of CSF in sulci  
**In chronic cases (loss of tissue with age, alcoholism, etc) will see dilated ventricles with large amount of CSF in sulci
<gallery>
File:Hydrocephalus.JPG| Obstructive hydrocephalus cause by a posterior fossa cyst in a 12 month old. Patient presented with loss of developmental milestones.
</gallery>


==Management==
==Management==
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==See Also==
==See Also==
[[Normal pressure hydrocephalus]]
*[[Normal pressure hydrocephalus]]
*[[Ventriculoperitoneal shunt obstruction]]
 
==External Links==
==External Links==



Latest revision as of 20:57, 11 November 2020

Background

Clinical Features

Pediatric hydrocephalus with "sunset eyes."

Pediatric

In addition to above:

  • Large fontanelles
  • Dilated scalp veins
  • "Cracked pot" sound on percussion
  • Irritability
  • Increased lower extremity tone
  • Remember that Babinski sign is normal up to 3 years of age

Differential Diagnosis

Headache

Common

Killers

Maimers

Others

Aseptic Meningitis

Evaluation

Typical hydrocephalus as seen on a brain CT. The lateral ventricles (black areas in the middle of the brain) are abnormally large and filled with fluid.
Obstructive hydrocephalus cause by a posterior fossa cyst in a 12 month old. Patient presented with loss of developmental milestones.
  • Physical Exam to assess for papilledema or neuro defects
  • CT Brain non contrast
    • In acute cases will see dilated ventricles and tight sulci
    • In chronic cases (loss of tissue with age, alcoholism, etc) will see dilated ventricles with large amount of CSF in sulci

Management

Disposition

See Also

External Links

References

  1. Shprecher D. et al. Normal pressure hydrocephalus: diagnosis and treatment. Curr Neurol Neurosci Rep. 2008;8(5):371-376.