Hello simon123,
Hydrocephalus, literally meaning ?water on the brain?, is the
medical term for fluid on the brain, that has caused expansion of that
fluid space. (Hyros means ?water? in Greek, and cephalus means ?head?)
The fluid, that some people call ?water?, is produced by the
ventricles of the brain, and is actually cerebrospinal fluid, or CSF
for short. CSF is a clear liquid, containing proteins, glucose,
hormones, and a small concentration of white blood cells, that under
healthy conditions resembles water! CSF travels up and down the
meninges (A three layer membrane that protects the brain and spinal
cord) nourishing and cushioning the brain.
The ways in which hydrocephalus occurs are:
1)The body begins to overproduce CSF (Called choroid plexus papilloma**)
2)The path of the CSF is blocked
3)The brain ventricles fail to reabsorb the CSF occurs
The organic causes of hydrocephalus are many. Congenital hydrocephalus
can be caused by maternal exposure to infective organisms such as
toxoplasmosis, herpes viruses, rubella, or a genetic disorder
inherited from the mother, but usually seen in males only.
Hydrocephalus occurs most often in premature babies and those born
with the birth defect known as ?Spina bifida?. An accumulation of CSF
causes swelling in the brain, which left untreated can compress brain
tissue, causing cell damage, and mental retardation and/or
neurological problems. Even after treatment, many children suffer
learning disabilities. In babies and very young children whose skull
bones have not ?cemented?, the bones may yield and the child?s head
actually enlarges.
Acquired hydrocephalus can be a complication of other disorders such
as meningitis or brain tumors, arachnoid cysts, accidents or trauma
that cause bleeding into the brain.
http://www.patientcenters.com/hydrocephalus/news/whatishydro.html
This Mythos Anatomy and WebMd site explains it this way:
?Cerebrospinal fluid, used to support the brain and buffer it, is
transmitted to these lobes by means of lateral ventricles which
project branches, or horns (cornu), into the frontal, occipital, and
temporal lobes. The temporal lobe is located on the side of each
hemisphere of the brain, next to the temporal bone, and houses areas
for the processing and correlation of auditory (hearing) and olfactory
(smell) senses? There are also illustrations on this site.
http://www.mythos.com/webmd/Content.aspx?P=BRAINA&E=21
http://www.mythos.com/webmd/Content.aspx?P=BRAINA&R=5#
?Hydrocephalus can be caused by cysts, either porencephalic cysts
within the brain adjacent to the ventricle, or arachnoid cysts in the
subarachnoid space or in the ventricle?
http://www.virtualtrials.com/shunts.cfm
Arachnoid cysts, found in children, are caused by an accumulation of
CSF in the outer layer of the meninges, often near the temporal lobe.
They may appear and disappear without the person even knowing!
Occasionally arachnoid cysts are found when a scan is performed for
non-related purposes, such as a head injury. ?Most arachnoid cysts
cause no symptoms. If found incidentally, they may be followed with
occasional re-scanning and repeated neurological examination. Those
causing raised intracranial pressure, particularly by CSF obstruction,
warrant surgery. Surgery creates drainage for the cyst, sometimes with
a shunt, relieving the obstruction or pressure on other structures. ?
http://www.intelihealth.com/IH/ihtIH/WSIHW000/331/4581/369454.html
The temporal lobe of the brain controls our memory, hearing, emotions,
and vision. On the following Cancer Research UK site has a good
illustration and explanation of how the CSF circulates in the brain.
Scroll down to below the middle of the page, under ?Ventricles?. You
can see the third ventricle lies adjacent to the temporal lobe. An
accumulation of CSF here can cause pressure on the temporal lobe.
http://www.cancerhelp.org.uk/help/default.asp?page=5019
The treatment of hydrocephalus more commonly used is a shunt, or a
tube, placed surgically from the brain into the abdominal cavity,
where the excess fluid can be reabsorbed into the bloodstream. The
shunt is not a cure, and must be replaced surgically, from time to
time, and more frequently if it should bet blocked or infected.
?Depending on the location of the cyst, the neurosurgeon may be able
to excise the cyst wall and drain the cyst's fluid. If the cyst is
located in an inoperable location (e.g., near the brain stem), the
neurosurgeon might decide to place a shunt catheter in the cyst. This
catheter is then connected to a shunt system to allow the fluid to be
drained. This stops the growth of the cyst and protects the brain
stem.?
http://www.patientcenters.com/hydrocephalus/news/whatishydro.html
A new technique, called a "third ventriculostomy" is being used on
some patients. This procedure passes a very thin catheter (tube) into
the brain, along with a very small camera lens. A small cut is made
between the wall of the ?third ventricle?, allowing fluid to flow into
another part of the brain that is not blocked, effectively reducing
pressure in the affected brain location.
** Choroid plexus papilloma is a usually benign growth, in the shape
of a culiflower, within the cerebral ventricles, that obstruct normal
flow of CSF. Symptoms include nausea, vomiting, drowsiness and vision
disturbances.
From eMedicine.com:
http://www.emedicine.com/med/topic2992.htm
Amersham Health web site:
http://www.amershamhealth.com/medcyclopaedia/Volume%20VI%201/CHOROID%20PLEXUS%20PAPILLOMA.asp
A good illustration of brain and normal CSF can be found at this
National Cancer Institute site:
http://www.nci.nih.gov/cancerinfo/wyntk/brain#2
In brief, fluid accumulation near the temporal lobe of the brain can
be acquired, as in trauma, cysts or tumors, hemorrhage, trauma,
infection, or congenital, a result of a birth defect.
I hope this makes things clear for you, simon123. If not, please
request an Answer Clarification before rating and I will be happy to
assist you further, if possible.
Regards,
crabcakes-ga
Search Terms:
hydrocephalus
Etiology fluid temporal lobe
Fluid temporal lobe
Choroid plexus papilloma |
