Factors That Increases Your Child’s Risk For Hydrocephalus

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Risk For Hydrocephalus

Genetic defects and issues with your child’s fetal growth while still in the womb may put your baby at risk for inherited hydrocephalus. Congenital abnormalities acquired from one or both parents can hinder how cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), a fluid required for normal brain and spinal cord function, flows through the baby’s brain. Pathogens in the uterus and fetal development challenges called neural tube defects are known to lead to inherited hydrocephalus. Before surgery, your Hydrocephalus in Oxnard surgeon will determine whether a shunt or an endoscopic third ventriculostomy is the best option for your child. Also, the neurosurgeon will go over the procedure in detail with you before your child’s scheduled surgery date. Risk For Hydrocephalus-

Understanding hydrocephalus

Hydrocephalus is a clinical condition that develops when cerebrospinal fluid increases, leading to a rise in brain pressure. The extra fluid also causes the ventricles to grow in size. An increase in pressure damages brain tissues, resulting in abnormal brain function. Cerebrospinal fluid is secreted by tissues lining the ventricles in the brain. It serves several functions, including keeping the brain buoyant, acting as a cushion to prevent brain injury, keeping the brain and tissues clear of waste products, and maintaining a constant pressure within different regions of the brain. The pressure created by the cerebrospinal fluid is consistent in an average person. This is because the amount of fluid secreted equals the amount of fluid removed by intake through blood vessels. With the help of channels, fluid moves quickly from one ventricle to the next.

Procedure for hydrocephalus

A ventricular shunt is the most commonly used procedure for hydrocephalus. A shunt is a tube that drains CSF from the ventricles to another body area that absorbs it. Endoscopic third ventriculostomy is the second category of hydrocephalus treatment (ETV). This treatment has proven to be more effective in treating ventricular-related hydrocephalus. It is not used in children who have a damaged brain filter that prevents cerebrospinal fluid absorption into the bloodstream. Moreover, both of these treatments will take at least an hour and a half and will be conducted under local anesthetic. Here is a brief description;

Shunt – this process begins with inserting a ventricular catheter into the ventricular system through the skull. A ventricular catheter is a thin tube with numerous tiny holes. This catheter is linked to a pressure valve, which controls the amount of spinal fluid drainage. A distal catheter, which is a long, thin tube, is attached to the valve. This is the tube through which the cerebrospinal fluid is drained. The distal catheter and valve are located beneath the skin of your child.

Endoscopic Third Ventriculostomy (ETV) – the surgeon makes a tiny hole in the bottom of the third ventricle to allow cerebral spinal fluid to bypass the obstruction and flow into the natural pathways.

Early detection of hydrocephalus and initiation of proper treatment significantly improve the chances of complete recovery. Call Link Neuroscience Institute or book an appointment online to learn more.

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