HYDROCEPHALUS AND SPINA BIFIDA

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HYDROCEPHALUS AND SPINA BIFIDA
SANDISPEAKS POSTER 3

• SIGNS SYMPTOMS OF HYDROCEPHALUS
• COMMON
• Headache
• Nausea Vomiting
• Vomiting
• LESS COMMON
• Worsening motor function, balance, or
  coordination
• Worsening bowel or bladder function
• Worsening scoliosis or orthopedic problems
• Seizures
• Change in intellect, school performance, or
  personality
• Difficulty swallowing
• Pain at the spina bifida closure site

• WHAT IS HYDROCEPHALUS
• Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is produced in the
  ventricles, circulates through the ventricles,
  and is absorbed back into the bloodstream
• Hydrocephalus occurs when there is an imbalance
  between the amount of CSF that is produced and
  the rate at which it is absorbed
• Hydrocephalus often involves a buildup of CSF
  because of a blockage in CSF circulation through
  the ventricles
• CSF buildup causes the ventricles of the brain to
  enlarge, which causes pressure on the brain
• DIFFERENT TYPES OF HYDROCEPHALUS
• Hydrocephalus that is congenital (present at
  birth) is thought to be caused by a complex
  interaction of environmental and perhaps genetic
  factors. Aqueductal stenosis and spina bifida are
  two examples.
• Acquired hydrocephalus may result from
  intraventricular hemorrhage, meningitis, head
  trauma, tumors and cysts.
• HOW IS HYDROCEPHALUS TREATED?
• Ventricular Peritoneal (VP) Shunt A tube is
  surgically inserted into the ventricle and the
  fluid is drained into the abdominal cavity
• Endoscopic Third Ventriculostomy A surgical
  procedure in which a small opening is made in the
  thinned floor of the third ventricle allowing for
  movement of the CSF out of the obstructed
  ventricular system

Understanding Spina Bifida, 1998, Spina Bifida
Team, Bloorview MacMillan Centre. Toronto
http//www.hydroassoc.org/information/information
.htm