Hydrocephalus Essay

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Hydrocephalus is a genetic disorder commonly described as “water on the brain.” In actuality, this is a condition in which there is an excessive accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), a clear watery fluid that surrounds the space between the brain and spinal cord, in the brain. Normally, the production together with the absorption process of CSF is specifically balanced to ensure that the brain tissue remains buoyant, that nutrients can be delivered and waste removed, and that there is a compensation for changes in intracranial blood volume. Hydrocephalus blocks this balanced flow as well as absorption, and on account of CSF being produced continuously, 16 oz each day to be exact, the blocking creates a surplus of CSF resulting in the said pressure against the brain tissue. The surplus accretion of CSF additionally motivates ventricular dilation in which the gaps between the brain, known as ventricles, abnormally widen. …show more content…

There has yet to be a cure for Hydrocephalus, but there are indeed treatments. Although, not many advances have been made in preventing, healing, or moderating Hydrocephalus. In fact, the device currently used as the dominant treatment was pronounced fifty years ago and has had the highest failure rates in comparison to any surgical remedy. Introducing said regimen, The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (2013) explains, “Hydrocephalus is most often treated by surgically inserting a shunt system.” This operation revolves around the embedding of two catheters along with a valve. The valve influences the flow of CSF to generate an increasingly normal rate and direction. As an alternative, there is a procedure labeled as a ventriculostomy in which a hole is made in the underlying area of a ventricle or in between the ventricles. This functions as a funnel for the CSF to exit the cranial area. These methods are customarily permanent and must be monitored

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