A review on hydrocephalus

S.RAMYA SILPA* M.pharmacy, Sai Coral County, Aravinda nagar, Anantapur-515001. Email:[email protected] Phone no:9949008749 Abstract:This review explains about types of hydrocephalus, its pathophysiology, diagnosis, new therapies. Hydrocephalus is condition in which CSF within the ventricles or subarachnoid space of brain accumulates abnormally, causing dilation of ventricles and occupies various parts of brain. It is characterized by gait disturbance, urinary incontinence and cognitive decline in absence of elevated CSF pressure. It was first described by Adams and hakim. NPH is combined with widening of cerebral ventricles. CSF is produced from choroid plexus inside brain ventricles (70-80%) Remaining CSF is produced from ependymal lining of ventricles as interstitial fluid (extra choroidal source). CSF is ultimately absorbed from SAS via arachnoid villi and granluations, small herniations of arachnoid space into venous system. It is absorbed by means of hydrostatic gradient. It occurs along olfactory nerves, extracellular spaces in brain, glial cells. Symptoms include headache, vomiting, nausea, papilledema, sleepiness or coma. Congenital brain defects, hemorrhage (ventricles on SAS), infection of CNS (syphilis, herpes, meningitis, encephalitis, mumps), tumor are some causes for hydrocephalus. CT and MRI play an important role in the diagnosis. CT can assess size of ventricles and other structures. MRI can find chiari malformation or cerebellar or periaqueductal tumors. It can differentiate normal pressure hydrocephalus from cerebral atrophy. Surgical installation of stunts is involved in treatment of hydrocephalus. Further research is required in order to recognize disease at early stages which helps in reducing severity of disease.