Best Doctors for Hydrocephalus in Mysore

Types/Stages of Hydrocephalus

Hydrocephalus primarily falls into four categories:

• Communicating Hydrocephalus: This occurs when CSF can flow through the brain’s ventricles despite blockages.

• Non-Communicating Hydrocephalus: Here, a blockage in the CSF circulation inhibits the fluid’s flow through the brain.

• Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus (NPH): Typically affecting older adults, NPH features CSF accumulation without increased intracranial pressure.

• Post-Shunt Hydrocephalus: This form arises when a procedure to divert CSF to another body part results in a blocked or malfunctioning shunt.

Symptoms of Hydrocephalus

The symptoms of hydrocephalus can vary widely and may include:

• Increased intracranial pressure results in headaches, nausea, and vomiting

• Cognitive impairment, memory loss, and personality changes due to brain damage

• Seizures due to increased intracranial pressure or brain damage

• Vision problems include blurred vision, double vision, or vision loss

• Difficulties with balance, coordination, speech, language, and muscle strength

Tests to Diagnose Hydrocephalus

To diagnose hydrocephalus, several tests can be performed, including:

• Neurological Examination: A review of the patient’s history and a physical examination to evaluate nervous system functions.

• Imaging Tests: MRI or CT scan to provide detailed images of the brain.

• Lumbar Puncture: A procedure to measure the pressure of the CSF and to examine it for abnormalities.

• Ultrasonography: In infants, this can be used to view the ventricles and check for enlargement.

Treatment or Surgery Options for Hydrocephalus at Apollo Hospitals Mysore

Apollo Hospitals Mysore offers several treatment options for Hydrocephalus, which include:

• Shunting procedures: A surgical procedure where a shunt, a flexible plastic tube, is inserted into the brain to divert the flow of CSF.

• Endoscopic Third Ventriculostomy (ETV): A minimally invasive procedure that creates an opening in the floor of the brain allowing CSF to drain properly.

• Medications: Certain medications like diuretics or corticosteroids may be administered to reduce cerebral fluid retention.

• Surgical Procedures: In some cases, surgical procedures such as craniotomy or craniectomy may be necessary to relieve pressure or remove blockages. At Apollo Hospitals Mysore, we have some of the best doctors for fluid accumulation in the skull, making us your trusted healthcare partner.