Best Doctors for Hydrocephalus in Chennai

Types/Stages of Hydrocephalus

The stages of hydrocephalus are as follows:

• Communicating Hydrocephalus: This occurs when the CSF flow gets blocked after it exits the ventricles, leading to fluid buildup in the brain and increased pressure in the head.

• Non-Communicating Hydrocephalus: Also known as obstructive hydrocephalus, here the CSF flow is blocked in passages connecting the ventricles, causing enlargement of ventricles due to trapped fluid.

• Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus (NPH): NPH is a slow-developing form with no clear cause but can originate from brain bleeding, trauma, infection or surgery complications.

• Hydrocephalus Ex-Vacuo: This type stems from brain damage due to conditions like stroke or traumatic injury where ventricles enlarge due to brain tissue shrinkage.

Symptoms of Hydrocephalus

Some of the general symptoms of hydrocephalus include

• Rapid head growth

• Bulging soft spot

• Downward-focused eyes

• Headaches

• Blurred vision

• Balance trouble, poor coordination

• Visual changes

• Decline in cognitive abilities

Tests to Diagnose Hydrocephalus

The doctors for cerebral fluid accumulation treatment diagnose hydrocephalus using the following combination of tests:

• Neurological Evaluation: This is conducted to evaluate muscle condition, movement, sensory abilities, and overall brain function

• Magnetic Resonance Imaging: This imaging test uses radio waves and a magnetic field to produce detailed images of the brain, showing enlarged ventricles and potential causes of hydrocephalus.

• Computed Tomography Scan: This specialised X-ray technology provides cross-sectional views of the brain.

• CSF Pressure Readings: CSF pressure readings may be taken through lumbar puncture, lumbar drainage test, or lumbar infusion test to assess CSF levels and pressure within the brain and spinal cord.

Treatment or Surgery Options for Hydrocephalus at Apollo Hospitals, Chennai

The doctors for normal pressure hydrocephalus treatment at Apollo Hospitals in Chennai offer a range of treatment options for hydrocephalus:

• Shunt Placement: This involves the surgical insertion of a shunt to redirect excess CSF from the brain’s ventricles to another part of the body where it can be absorbed more easily.

• Endoscopic Third Ventriculostomy: This minimally invasive surgical procedure involves creating an opening in the brain’s third ventricle to allow trapped fluid to drain through a normal pathway.

• Medications: Certain medications, like acetazolamide, furosemide, and isosorbide, can be used to affect CSF dynamics and delay surgical intervention.