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Hydrocephalus

Background

Hydrocephalus is commonly, but inaccurately, known as 'water on the brain.' A watery fluid known as Cerebro Spinal Fluid (CSF) flows through narrow passageways in the brain from one ventricle to the next, out over the inside of the brain and down the spinal cord. CSF is continuously absorbed into the blood stream and the amount of pressure is kept within a narrow range. If the flow of fluid is obstructed at any point, it accumulates in the ventricles causing them to enlarge and compress surrounding brain tissue. In babies - but not older children or adults - the head will enlarge. 

What are the symptoms? View What are the symptoms?

Medical text written July 1994 by the Association of Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus. Approved by Dr C.R.Birch, Consultant Physician and Medical Director, Grantham and District Hospital, Grantham, UK. Last updated June 2003 by Dr R Bayston, ASBAH and Senior Lecturer, University of Nottingham Medical School, Nottingham, UK.

 

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