Abstract
Hydrocephalus is an expansion of the ventricular system resulting from condition of the brain with altered circulation of the cerebrospinal fluid. Three types of hydrocephalus are distinguished: non-communicating hydrocephalus (aqueductal stenosis, midbrain tumors, ventriculitis, meningitis), communicating hydrocephalus (overproduction of CSF, impaired reabsorption of CSF), congenital hydrocephalus (causes not known, maternal infection, teratogenesis, genetic factors), and normal pressure hydrocephalus (block in flow of CSF in the subarachnoidal spaces). Hydrocephalus leads to a reduction of cerebral blood flow and oxidative metabolism and tearing and stretching of axons. Molecular factors include activation of proteolytic calpains and elevated activity of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) and NO production. Treatment consists of ventricular drainage or ventriculostomy. Clinical outcome is usually good. Complications are due to shunt infection, over-drainage, subdural hematoma, and subdural hygroma.
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Weis, S. et al. (2019). Hydrocephalus. In: Imaging Brain Diseases. Springer, Vienna. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-7091-1544-2_16
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-7091-1544-2_16
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