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Recent News and Articles on the Keywords: hydrocephalus + 1,940,000 + web  Related to the article below (Last Update: 8/5/2008)

SAVE AND SHARE Philadelphia Inquirer, PA - Aug 4, 2008 Neurosurgeon Ben Warf's new approach to brain surgery for hydrocephalus offers an alternative to the risky standard treatment of installing a shunt. ... Gilley: Brain surgery stops dementia News-Leader.com, MO - 43 minutes ago Specialists diagnosed Gilley with hydrocephalus, a condition characterized by an increase in fluid in the cranium. Gilley said the disease affected his ... Two-month old baby needs help for hydrocephalus ABS CBN News, Philippines - Jul 9, 2008 by Kristine Addatu, ABS-CBN Baguio The boy's doctor said that Baby Jay should undergo immediate treatment. But his parents suffer from financial problems, ... WHMI Walk @ Kensington To Raise Awareness Of Hydrocephalus WHMI, MI - Jul 26, 2008 Last year was the first ever walk for the cause in the state and the 100 people who attended managed to raise $7000 to benefit the National Hydrocephalus ... Effect of hydrocephalus on rat brain extracellular compartment 7thSpace Interactive (press release), NY - Jul 10, 2008 The cerebral cortex may be compressed in hydrocephalus and some experiments suggest that movement of extracellular substances through the cortex is impaired ... Soonews.ca Biking for Spina Bifida & Hydrocephalus Soonews.ca, Canada - Jul 9, 2008 The on-again-off-again marathon effort is to raise money and awareness of spina bifida and hydrocephalus, which has affected both a friend and a cousin of ... Differing views of child's death offered in Riverside murder trial San Diego Union Tribune, United States - Jul 17, 2008 7, 1999, the tot was diagnosed with hydrocephalus, a brain disorder marked by enlargement of the head from subdermal swelling, Rodriguez said. ... Super-fan 'Scoop' rides on Richmond Times Dispatch, VA - Jul 31, 2008 A little background: Melton, 55, was born with a condition called hydrocephalus (water on the brain) that limits mobility. Recently, he took a nasty tumble, ... August Fundraiser Helps Make Miracles for Children Earthtimes (press release), UK - Jul 29, 2008 Hannah was born with hydrocephalus - a build-up of cerebrospinal fluid in her brain. The damage from the hydrocephalus caused bilateral spastic cerebral ... Columbus Dispatch Disabilities discussion to hit close to home for journalist Columbus Dispatch, OH - Jul 26, 2008 About 85 percent of children born with spina bifida also have hydrocephalus, and the doctors could see a buildup . . . in his head. ...

Hydrocephalus

Fluid normally flows around the spinal cord and the brain and is absorbed in the blood stream. This fluid serves as a cushion to protect the spinal cord and brain from injury. It also contains nutrients and proteins to nourish the brain and help it function, and it carries waste products away to be absorbed by the bloodstream. When this fluid is produced faster than it can be absorbed or is blocked and collects inside the brain, the condition is called hydrocephalus. As the fluid builds up, it causes the ventricles to enlarge and the pressure inside the head to increase.

If it is present from birth it causes a newborn to have an unusually large head.

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Hydrocephalus that is present at birth is probably caused by environmental and genetic factors. When the condition develops after birth it is usually the result of a disease (such as meningitis), injury to the head, tumors, cysts or bleeding inside the chambers of the brain.

A doctor may order the following procedures to diagnose the condition accurately:

• Skull X-rays. In addition to the enlargement of the skull caused by hydrocephalus, X-rays can reveal the distinctive appearance of the bones that shows an increase in the pressure inside the skull over a period of time.
• Ultrasound. This is helpful in showing whether or not there is bleeding inside the skull and the chambers of the brain.
  
• Computed tomography (CT) scans. These will show the size of the chambers inside the brain and possibly where a blockage is that prevents the flow of fluid around the brain and spinal cord. A CT scan will show cysts, tumors or an enlarged brain, if they are present.
• Magnetic resonance imaging
• Blood tests. These will help identify if there is an infection present, including infections that may be present at birth from viruses such as rubella or herpes.
  
• Electroencephalogram (EEG). This test may be helpful if there are seizures.
  
• Microscopic examination of the spinal fluid

There is no known way to prevent or cure hydrocephalus. Treatment will vary depending on what is causing the fluid to collect. Options include:

• Removing fluid to reduce the pressure inside the brain. This provides only temporary relief.
  
• Surgery to put in a shunt to remove the spinal fluid. This is done when the condition is getting worse and putting growing pressure on the brain and skull. Not all forms of hydrocephalus get worse. Less invasive procedures, such as endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV), are growing in popularity as an alternative to traditional surgery.