In many cases, the cause of hydrocephalus is unknown. However, a number of developmental or medical problems can contribute to or trigger hydrocephalus. Hydrocephalus present at birth (congenital) or shortly after birth can occur because of any of the following:
It may also develop it as part of the aging process. Congenital hydrocephalus means the condition is present at birth, caused by a complex interaction of genetic and environmental factors during fetal development. Congenital hydrocephalus is now often diagnosed before birth through routine ultrasound.
Hydrocephalus is the most common reason for brain surgery in children. Hydrocephalus comes from Greek words “hydro,” meaning “water,” and “cephalus,” meaning “head.”
In most cases, hydrocephalus progresses, which means complications, including intellectual, developmental and physical disabilities, can occur if it's not treated. It can also be life-threatening. Less severe cases, when treated appropriately, might have few, if any, serious complications.
Hydrocephalus is caused by an imbalance between how much cerebrospinal fluid is produced and how much is absorbed into the bloodstream. Cerebrospinal fluid is produced by tissues lining the ventricles of the brain.
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.
It is caused by genetic and non-genetic factors. The most common cause of Congenital hydrocephalus are variations in the L1CAM gene, where there is a narrow passageway between the third and fourth ventricles (aqueductal stenosis).
A form of toxic leukoencephalopathy causing cerebellar oedema and hydrocephalus has also been described resulting from inhalation of heroin, and also from methadone poisoning [1, 3].
Cause of Hydrocephalus Older children or adults with an abnormal growth in the head (tumor) or a head injury can develop hydrocephalus. Hydrocephalus has two base causes: the bloodstream is not fully absorbing the fluid due to a damaged filter in the brain and / or the flow of fluid within the ventricles is blocked.
Hydrocephalus ex-vacuo occurs when a stroke or injury damages the brain and brain matter actually shrinks. The brain may shrink in older patients or those with Alzheimer's disease, and CSF volume increases to fill the extra space.
Congenital hydrocephalus can run in families. It is thought that congenital hydrocephalus can be caused by genetic defects that can be passed from one or both parents to a child, but the direct links to hereditary disorders are still being investigated.
The cause of hydrocephalus is not known. Very few cases are caused by a birth defect; others can follow hemorrhage, viral infection, or meningitis. A genetic predisposition has been proposed, with transmission through autosomal recessive or X-linked genes.
Inbreeding seemed to be more of the etiologic factor in fetuses as they occurred in 31% of the cases (Fig. 1). Every diagnosis of hydrocephalus with other anomalies in all other organs and systems is regarded as associated hydrocephalus.
Hydrocephalus Ex-vacuo: It primarily affects adults and occurs when a degenerative disease, like Alzheimer's disease, stroke or trauma, causes damage to the brain that may cause the brain tissue to shrink.
Hydrocephalus present from birth It can be caused by a condition such as spina bifida, or an infection the mother develops during pregnancy, such as mumps or rubella (German measles).
Hydrocephalus ex vacuo is the result of the ventricles enlarging to compensate for loss of brain tissue. This can happen as a result of another form of acquired brain injury, such as a stroke or traumatic injury.
The four types of hydrocephalus are communicating, noncommunicating, ex vacuo, and normal pressure. Diagnosis is typically made by physical examination and medical imaging. Hydrocephalus is typically treated by the surgical placement of a shunt system.
There is no one specific cause of congenital hydrocephalus. However, it may be linked to a genetic defect, or be the result of another disorder such as spina bifida or encephalocele (sac-like protrusions of the brain).
There are two main classifications for hydrocephalus: Communicating hydrocephalus (or non-obstructive) – after the brain fluid becomes blocked, it can still flow between the ventricles.
Normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH) is a form of communicating hydrocephalus that can strike people at any age, but it is most common among the elderly. It may result from a subarachnoid hemorrhage, head trauma, infection, tumor or complications of surgery.