hydrocephalus

(noun)

a usually congenital condition in which an abnormal accumulation of fluid in the cerebral ventricles causes enlargement of the skull and compression of the brain, destroying much of the neural tissue

Related Terms

Examples of hydrocephalus in the following topics:

  • Spinal Tap

    • In any age group, subarachnoid hemorrhage, hydrocephalus, benign intracranial hypertension, and many other conditions may be diagnosed with this test.
    • Increased CSF pressure: can indicate conditions causing increased intracranial pressure, such as congestive heart failure, cerebral edema, subarachnoid hemorrhage, meningeal inflammation, purulent meningitis or tuberculous meningitis, hydrocephalus, or pseudotumor cerebri.
    • Significant changes in pressure during the procedure can indicate tumors or spinal blockage resulting in a large pool of CSF, or hydrocephalus associated with large volumes of CSF.
    • Increased levels of lactate can occur the presence of cancer of the central nervous system, multiple sclerosis, low blood pressure, low serum phosphorus, respiratory alkalosis, idiopathic seizures, traumatic brain injury, cerebral ischemia, brain abscess, hydrocephalus, or bacterial meningitis.

  • Ventricles

    • Diseases of the ventricular system include abnormal enlargement (hydrocephalus) and inflammation of the CSF spaces (meningitis, ventriculitis) caused by infection or introduction of blood following trauma or hemorrhage.
    • This is a common cause of hydrocephalus (known colloquially as "water on the brain"), an extremely serious condition due to the damage caused by the pressure as well as the nature of the block (e.g., a tumor or inflammatory swelling).

  • Midbrain

    • Partial or total obstruction of the cerebral aqueduct during development can lead to congenital hydrocephalus.