Hydrocephalus

Hydrocephalus comes from the Latin words "hydro" means water and "Cephalus" means the head, briefly means "wateron the head". Hydrocephalus was first described by scientists from theGreek named Hippocrates. Hydrocephalus patients have abnormal cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in thev entricles.This causes increased intracranial pressure in the skull, causing his head to be bigger and mental disabilities, in severe cases can cause death.

Hydrocephalus obstruct the flow of cerebrospinal fluid in the ventricles or subarachnoid. Normally CSF fluidshould flow through the ventricles and out of sisterna (small reservoirs) located at the base of the brain.CSF Fluid Serves to channeling food and throw away of the metabolism remain from brain by the blood vessels. Besides these problems, the disease is alsocaused by excessive production of CSF (cerebrospinal) because the disorder since birth, or also because of the impact and infections of the head.

From the medical world record hydrocephalus occurs every 500 birth rate. More often than in hearing disorders or mental disabilities. It is estimated that 700,000children and adults suffering from hydrocephalus, and is the largest case of brain surgery treatment in children in the United States. Early detection of hydrocephalus sufferers will increase to normal again, especially in childrens.

Hydrocephalus symptoms in infants:

Especially in infants under one year, the occurrence of hydrocephalus characterized by head enlargement because the skull bones as a baby before one year has not merged, and followed with :

• Enlarged skull
• There is such a gap between the bones of the skull
• Head diameter head slowly began to grow
• Blood vessels dilate
• Eyeball looks like out of the eyelid
• Experienced vomiting, cramps and less active and fussy
• Growth slower than his age
• Balance and movement disorders
• Squint

To overcome this excess fluid drains it done by placing tubes (catheters) into the fluid channel of the brain(ventricles) are connected with the abdominal cavity, the cavity around the heart or lungs that is easily absorbed by liquid blood vessels. Disposal of liquids are arranged in such a way with the valve in the system for controlling so as not there is a shortage or excess fluid. This way is the most effectivefor patients with hydrocephalus, but still there is the possibility of failure and infection.

Ventrikulektomi

Other healing is to perform surgery with to make a sort of funnel to remove the fluid in the ventricles of the brain. This method has asuccess rate higher than installing a catheter such as the above and more safe from infection.

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