Forms of the child’s hydrocephalus | Baby’s hydrocephalus

Forms of the child’s hydrocephalus

A hydrocephalus is caused by a mismatch between cerebrospinal fluid formation and CSF outflow. Consequently, either the production can be increased or the outflow can be reduced, so that ultimately the amount of cerebrospinal fluid increases inadequately and more space is needed in the ventricle system. This lack of space is counteracted by enlarging the ventricles, resulting in a hydrocephalus.

This hydrocephalus is particularly common in a baby. The following types of hydrocephalus can be distinguished according to their development:

• Hydrocephalus occlusus = disturbance of the cerebrospinal fluid flow, increased intracranial pressure
• Hydrocephalus malresorptivus = disturbance of cerebrospinal fluid resorption (absorption), increased intracranial pressure
• Hydrocephalus hypersecretorius = increased cerebrospinal fluid formation, increased cerebral pressure
• Hydrocephalus e vacuo = Enlargement of the ventricles due to reduction of brain mass (brain atrophy) with normal intracranial pressure
• Idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus = unclear cause of ventricular dilatation with almost normal CSF pressure

Hydrocephalus occlusus is usually caused by a blockage of the outflow pathways, for example by cancerous ulcers, inflammatory changes or bleeding at narrow points of the connecting pathways of the internal cerebrospinal fluid system with subsequent obstruction, so that the outflow of cerebrospinal fluid is impeded. Such narrow places can be the aqueduct or the outflow paths (Foraminae Luschkae, Foramen Magendii; foramen = hole) of the IV ventricle.

Hydrocephalus malresorptivus is caused by a malabsorption disorder as a result of adhesions in the subarachnoid space or its extensions (cisterns), blocking the path of the cerebrospinal fluid into the venous system. Such adhesions can occur after bleeding in the subarachnoid space (subarachnoid hemorrhage), a purulent meningitis (purulent meningitis) or after injuries to the head (craniocerebral trauma).Increased cerebrospinal fluid formation, as is characteristic of hydrocephalus hypersecretorius, is caused, for example, by inflammation or by a new formation of the choroid plexus (plexus papilloma), which produces cerebrospinal fluid. Hydrocepahlus e vacuo is caused either by a decrease in brain substance (brain atrophy), by an inflammation of the brain in early childhood (encephalitis) or by abscesses (inflammatory, purulent tissue melting).

In this case the cerebral pressure is not increased. Normal pressure hydrocephalus is characterized by only minimally increased intracranial pressure. The cause of this hydrocephalus form is not yet fully understood.