Hydrocephalus comes from the Greek "hydro" meaning water and "cephalie", meaning brain. A watery fluid, known as cerebrospinal fluid or CSF, is produced constantly inside each of the four spaces or ventricles inside the brain: between 400 and 600mls is produced each day.

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What is Hydrocephalus?
produced constantly inside each
of the four spaces or ventricles in the ventricles inside the brain,
next, then out over the outside and adults, the head size cannot
of the brain and down the spinal
Choroid plexus Lateral ventricles
Choroid plexus (One each side
Pituitary gland Superior sagittal
Key Spinal cord
Cerebrum:
Cerebellum:
Ventricles:
Choroid plexus:
Superior sagittal sinus:
Pituitary gland:
Brainstem:
Spinal cord:

2. What is Hydrocephalus?
the lesion in the spinal cord, there
What causes
Hydrocephalus? of certain parts of the brain which
increase in pressure due to this can
Hydrocephalus can be
congenital or acquired. Shine’s
Congenital Hydrocephalus
Cysts within the brain
the exact cause of congenital
hydrocephalus cannot be In these cases, hydrocephalus
is often due to pressure on
the surrounding tissues by the
Aqueduct Stenosis
Genetics
linking the ventricles in the brain is
hydrocephalus is due to hereditary
generations, such as x-linked
Maternal infections
streptococcus which can

3. the drainage pathways resulting
Acquired Hydrocephalus
Prematurity
Brain Haemorrhage
including those occurring in adults brain of a baby born early is far
Tumours beneath the lining of the ventricles
– because of the activity in this area
surrounding tissues, resulting blood vessels are very fragile and
can easily burst if the baby suffers
too large a swing in blood pressure
is often necessary to control
do occur, then the baby is at risk
can lead to a blood clot developing,
Meningitis
to break through the wall of the

4. What is Hydrocephalus?
a blood clot does not develop, the
What is a shunt?
Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus
around the obstructed pathways
Seen in older adults and
valve to control the rate of drainage
surgically so that the upper end is
How is in a ventricle of the brain and the
Hydrocephalus treated? lower end leads either into the
Other drainage sites such as the
unpleasant side effects and are outer lining of the lungs (ventriculo-
Possible Complications
does not ‘cure’ the hydrocephalus
intended to stay in place for life,
although alterations or revisions

5. individual grows and an operation
What symptoms should be
looked for? infected and the lower catheter is
often a reliable guide as to what to ventriculo-atrial shunt infections,
Possible signs of acute shunt
peritoneal shunts, such infections
and other visual disturbances, after the operation when they were
carried out for shunt infections and
Possible signs of chronic shunt
How are shunt problems
treated?
Shunt blockages which are causing
illness usually require an operation
If a shunt blockage is suspected,

6. What is Hydrocephalus?
Third ventriculostomy
the whole shunt and a course of procedure
antibiotics before insertion of a
Endoscopic
Third Ventriculostomy
all types of hydrocephalus can be
see Shine’s
Hydrocephalus and seizures
What are the effects of
hydrocephalus?
hydrocephalus will develop
associated with hydrocephalus
concentration, reasoning and
can also result in subtle effects,

7. Support
Shine plays a leading role in
providing support, through national
of these effects can be reduced
through teaching strategies or with
have a child or adult with a disability
and Shine
people will have very few, if any,
available on all aspects of care and
An example of a shunt in place
catheter regional staff, area and specialist
advisers will give personal advice
brain
Our services are available to
individuals with the disabilities,
valve parents, health professionals,
schools, local authorities and other
the heart
heart
tubing to the
shunt

8. hydrocephalus, specially written for
SHUNT ALERT CARDS
Shine has a series of Shunt Alert
by people with hydrocephalus
treated by a shunt (this will include
Shine,
please call 01733 555988.
to those which occur when there is
shunt blockage or infection, urgent
should be carried out in a specialist
neuro-surgical unit, in order to
People applying for a Shunt
Alert Card can also request
Help us
Shine relies on people’s generosity and support so we can help our clients
who depend on us for help and advice - people with hydrocephalus,
Shine please visit
www.shinecharity.org.uk or call 01733 421329
Shine’s
approved by Shine’s
Shine
to Shine please visit www.shinecharity.org.uk