How to relieve headache caused by hydrocephalus?

Written by Tang Li Li
Neurology
Updated on September 13, 2024
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Hydrocephalus causing headaches is generally related to high pressure in the brain. Hydrocephalus leads to an enlargement of the ventricular system, compressing the surrounding brain tissue. Since the volume of the skull is fixed, increased accumulation of fluid can cause a rapid rise in internal pressure, leading to headaches. In severe cases, it may cause nausea, vomiting, and disturbances in consciousness, making the patient drowsy, stuporous, or even comatose. In such cases, the main treatment is to reduce the pressure inside the brain. Dehydrating agents, such as mannitol, can be used; however, mannitol mainly removes water from inside the cells and is more effective for cerebral edema than for hydrocephalus. Furosemide can be used to reduce the secretion of cerebrospinal fluid and may have some effect on hydrocephalus. However, the key treatment is likely to be surgical, such as lateral ventricular drainage, which can fundamentally resolve the problem of fluid accumulation but can also lead to complications like infections.

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Written by Gao Yi Shen
Neurosurgery
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How should hydrocephalus be treated?

Treatment of hydrocephalus must be specific to the patient's condition, as different cases of hydrocephalus require different treatment approaches. For some mild cases of hydrocephalus without obvious clinical symptoms, the focus is on observation or the use of internal medicine to improve cerebral circulation and neuroprotective medications. However, if symptoms emerge later and significantly affect daily life, shunt surgery from the cerebral ventricles to the abdominal cavity is performed for chronic hydrocephalus, aiming to alleviate the patient's suffering. In cases of acute hydrocephalus caused by cerebral hemorrhage or subarachnoid hemorrhage, treatment might involve the use of neuroendoscopy to create a ventriculostomy at the floor of the third ventricle or external ventricular drainage. Thus, treatment is determined based on the specific circumstances.

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Written by Chen Yu Fei
Neurosurgery
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Is hydrocephalus easy to treat?

Hydrocephalus is relatively easy to treat. Before treatment, it is advised to first perform a cranial CT scan or MRI on the patient to determine the type and severity of the hydrocephalus, and based on whether the patient currently shows significant clinical symptoms, decide if surgical treatment is necessary. Additionally, a cranial CT or MRI can help identify the cause of the hydrocephalus, such as whether there is an intracranial space-occupying lesion or if the cerebral fluid circulation pathway is obstructed for other reasons, leading to hydrocephalus. If treatment is deemed necessary, it is generally recommended to opt for ventriculo-peritoneal shunt surgery for the patient. Most patients can achieve good results after the surgical treatment.

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Written by Tang Li Li
Neurology
1min 17sec home-news-image

How to relieve headache caused by hydrocephalus?

Hydrocephalus causing headaches is generally related to high pressure in the brain. Hydrocephalus leads to an enlargement of the ventricular system, compressing the surrounding brain tissue. Since the volume of the skull is fixed, increased accumulation of fluid can cause a rapid rise in internal pressure, leading to headaches. In severe cases, it may cause nausea, vomiting, and disturbances in consciousness, making the patient drowsy, stuporous, or even comatose. In such cases, the main treatment is to reduce the pressure inside the brain. Dehydrating agents, such as mannitol, can be used; however, mannitol mainly removes water from inside the cells and is more effective for cerebral edema than for hydrocephalus. Furosemide can be used to reduce the secretion of cerebrospinal fluid and may have some effect on hydrocephalus. However, the key treatment is likely to be surgical, such as lateral ventricular drainage, which can fundamentally resolve the problem of fluid accumulation but can also lead to complications like infections.

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Written by Jiang Fang Shuai
Neurosurgery
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Early manifestations of infant hydrocephalus

Infant hydrocephalus initially manifests as an enlarged head, beginning from birth with progressive increase in head circumference that is disproportionate to body growth. Upon examination, bulging fontanelles, thin scalp, and clearly visible scalp veins can be observed, with widened or even separated sutures. Additionally, due to increased intracranial pressure, symptoms such as irritability, recurrent vomiting, refusal to eat, abnormal behavior, and seizures may present as early indicators.

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Written by Jiang Fang Shuai
Neurosurgery
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Causes of Hydrocephalus

Under normal conditions, the secretion, circulation, and absorption of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) maintain a dynamic balance. In some pathological states, this balance is disrupted, leading to an excessive accumulation of CSF within the ventricular system, a condition known as hydrocephalus. Hydrocephalus can be classified into obstructive hydrocephalus and communicating hydrocephalus. The causes of obstructive hydrocephalus mainly include obstructions in the ventricular system, such as congenital malformations or abnormal development of the cerebral aqueduct, which are the most common causes of hydrocephalus in infants. In adults, tumors, bleeding, blockages, or compression of the ventricular system are also common causes of hydrocephalus. Communicating hydrocephalus results primarily from acquired diseases, such as cranial infections or blockages of arachnoid granulations by subarachnoid hemorrhage, leading to impairments in CSF absorption.