Having hydrocephalus can be difficult. It can create medical, financial, and social setbacks and can even take away your capability to live independently. Hydrocephalus can happen very early in life and can be detected through several examinations such as ultrasound, MRI scan, or CT scan. Addressing this condition as early as possible can harm many aspects of your life. If you are looking for tests and treatments for hydrocephalus treatment in St James, contact us today and schedule your appointment!
What Is Hydrocephalus?
Hydrocephalus is the buildup of fluid (CSF) in the cavities deep within the brain. This excess fluid then puts pressure on the brain. This condition is dangerous; if left untreated, hydrocephalus can be fatal. There are three main types of hydrocephalus:
- congenital hydrocephalus: Hydrocephalus that’s present at birth
- acquired hydrocephalus: Hydrocephalus that develops after birth
- normal pressure hydrocephalus: Hydrocephalus usually only develops in older people
Symptoms
Hydrocephalus can start at any age, even before birth. Symptoms can vary by age:
Infants:
- An unusually large head, a rapid increase in the size of the head, and a bulging or tense soft spot on the top of the head
- Nausea and vomiting, sleepiness or sluggishness, seizures, or sunsetting of the eyes
Toddlers and Older Children:
- Abnormal eye movements, increased head size, regular imbalance, decreased bladder control
- Irritability, change in personality, a decline in school performance
Young and Middle-Aged Adults:
- Headache, sluggishness, loss of coordination or balance, decreased bladder control, frequent urination, vision problems, decreased memory, concentration, and other thinking skills.
Older Adults
People over 60 can experience normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH). It is still an uncommon and poorly understood condition. People with NPH have thinking and reasoning problems, difficulty walking, and loss of bladder control.
Treatment: Hydrocephalus Treatment in St James
There are various methods to detect hydrocephalus. A CT scan and an MRI can effectively confirm a diagnosis of congenital and acquired hydrocephalus. At times, an ultrasound can detect hydrocephalus during the pregnancy. On the other hand, NPH can be harder to diagnose as symptoms can be similar to Alzheimer’s. Examinations assess how your mobility, gait, mental ability, bladder control, and appearance of your brain.
After going through thorough scanning, you will be presented with different treatment options.
Shunt surgery is when a thin tube called a shunt is implanted in your brain. The shunt then allows the excess fluid to flow through to another part of your body. After the surgery, further treatment is needed in case of an infection or the shunt is blocked.
Endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV) is the procedure where the surgeon creates a hole in the floor of your brain, allowing the trapped cerebrospinal fluid to escape to the brain’s surface, where it can be absorbed. This approach may not be for everyone; hence needs thorough consultation with your doctor. Patients will go under general anesthesia, and the surgery usually takes about 1 hour.
- Lumbar puncture is a short-term option for the treatment of hydrocephalus. This procedure reduces the amount of excess fluid before performing a long-term treatment. However, lumbar puncture is sufficient only for patients whose brain is still able to absorb some CSF.
Hydrocephalus is a complicated condition to diagnose and treat. Currently, available treatments are strictly surgical and will need to be monitored and followed up regularly. Addressing this condition as soon as possible is very important and can be life-changing. If you are experiencing symptoms of this condition and are looking for hydrocephalus treatment in St James, please contact us today and book your appointment!
We go through life not thinking about the conditions that many deals with that are life-threatening. However, at times we or a loved one may be diagnosed with a condition that causes severe symptoms and shortens our lifespan. A prime example of this is Hydrocephalus. Starting treatment for this early is vital to increasing the chances of living a longer life. So if you are seeking hydrocephalus treatment in St James, Dr. Symeon Missios can help you get started now!
What is Hydrocephalus?
Hydrocephalus is the buildup of fluid in the ventricles deep within the brain. This results in the excess fluid, causing the ventricles to increase in size and pressure the brain. Typically, cerebrospinal fluid flows through the ventricles and bathes the brain and spinal cord. However, the force of too much cerebrospinal fluid associated with Hydrocephalus can damage brain tissue and cause brain function problems.
Hydrocephalus is not a condition that only develops at a later stage of life, as 1 out of every 770 babies develop it. This means that this condition is just as common as Down syndrome. No matter the age you are, this condition is serious and needs to be treated by a medical professional immediately. If you need hydrocephalus treatment in St James, Dr. Symeon Missios is here to help you begin treatment!
Symptoms of Hydrocephalus
The symptoms of Hydrocephalus will vary by the age of the person when this condition occurs. The main symptoms that go with all age groups are the following;
- Poor eating
- Irritability
- Problems with Strength
- Blurred or Double Vision
- Sluggishness
- Loss of Bladder Control
- Decline in Memory
- Headache
- Poor Coordination or Balance
If you begin to see these symptoms, you need to see a doctor to receive a professional diagnosis. Rather than waiting, beginning treatment early for this condition can help save your quality of life! So if you are seeking hydrocephalus treatment in St James, our office can help you mitigate your symptoms.
Treatments: Hydrocephalus Treatment in St James
Currently, there are only two forms of treatment available. While they are both surgeries, they both have been found to increase the survival rate of those patients.
- Shunt: This is the most common surgery for this condition, in which a drainage system is inserted. The job of the shunt is to keep the fluid flowing in the right direction and at the correct rate.
- Endoscopic third ventriculostomy: In this surgery, the surgeon uses a small video camera to see inside your brain. While in there, the surgeon makes a hole to allow for the cerebrospinal fluid to flow out of the brain.
However, with any surgery comes the potential for complications. Regarding the shunt system, the drain could potentially stop draining the fluid or poorly regulate drainage because of mechanical problems, blockage, or infections.
Despite the treatment for Hydrocephalus having made progress over the past 20 years, there currently is no cure for this condition but rather a long-term treatment. If you or anyone you know needs an expert diagnosis and treatment plan and are seeking hydrocephalus treatment in St James, Dr. Symeon Missios is here to develop the plan that provides the most benefit.
As we age, we, unfortunately, become prone to developing conditions that we never had before. One condition that could develop is one known as Adult-Onset Hydrocephalus. In this post, we will look at features such as symptoms, causes, diagnosis, and treatment to provide a better understanding of what this condition entails. If you are searching for hydrocephalus treatment in St James or wish to learn more information about the condition, contact Dr. Symeon Missios today!
What is Adult-Onset Hydrocephalus?
Hydrocephalus, a term derived from two words, “hydro,” or water, and “cephalous,” or head, is a condition where excess cerebrospinal fluid, or CSF, builds up in the ventricles of the brain, which increases pressure in the head. The liquid on the brain that causes the pressure is CSF, not water, as is commonly misunderstood. CSF is responsible for acting as an absorber for the spinal cord and brain, regulates changes in pressure within the brain, and delivers nutrients to the brain while removing waste. Although there is no cure for this condition, with early detection and treatment, a person can go on to live a normal, functioning life.
Symptoms
The symptoms of Adult-Onset Hydrocephalus are similar to various other health concerns. They can be brought on by tumors, traumatic injury, meningitis, bleeding in the brain, or from unknown causes. Symptoms to be mindful of are:
- Headache
- Unsteady walk
- Drowsiness
- Nausea/Vomiting
- Irritability
- Confusion
- Change in behavior or personality
- Leg weakness
- Sleepiness
- Blurred vision
- Neck pain
- Seizures
Diagnosis
If a patient is displaying several symptoms of Adult-Onset Hydrocephalus, a doctor will provide analysis in a few ways. From there, the neurosurgeon can identify the best path of hydrocephalus treatment in St James by completing comprehensive screening. Some ways in which this condition can be diagnosed is by reviewing the patient’s medical history whilst performing physical examinations such as a Lumbar Tap Trial, basic cognitive function, motor and balance assessments, asking specific questions to narrow it down to the condition, or providing laboratory assessment of CSF.
There are other tests that a patient can undergo to determine if what they are dealing with is, in fact, Adult-Onset Hydrocephalus. Other tests include:
- CAT scan – Shows blockage or enlarged ventricles
- MRI – Evaluates the flow of CSF and if ventricles are enlarged
- Intracranial pressure monitoring – Monitors pressure waves to identify abnormal patterns
- Isotopic cisternography – Monitors the absorption of CSF for a set time
Treatment
Thankfully, various forms of treatment are available. Certain medications can help with bladder control. On the other hand, there are two surgical procedures. CSF shunting diverts the liquid buildup by way of implanted tubes. The alternative surgery, Endoscopic Third Ventriculostomy, is done without implants rather than through a small hole in the skull. With this procedure, another small hole is made in a membrane to restore normal CSF flow.
Contact Us: Hydrocephalus Treatment in St James
Dr. Missios is a board-certified neurosurgeon that specializes in both spinal and cranial procedures. If you are searching for hydrocephalus treatment in St James, Dr. Missios can use his expertise to identify and administer the best treatment possible. Schedule an appointment today!