Brain hydrocephalus in adults. Treatment that is replaceable, moderate, internal, occlusal mixed. evidence

Hydrocephalus brain (edema) is a serious pathology which is characterized by the accumulation of a large amount of liquor in intracranial space. The disease is accompanied by characteristic symptoms, it requires the help of a therapist, neurologist or neurosurgeon. Treatment is chosen after a thorough diagnosis and an accurate diagnosis.

What is brain hydrocephalus

Pathological processes provoke the accumulation of excess fluid in the intracranial cavity. brain tissue pressed against the skull due to the emergence of a lot of pressure. Without timely treatment, if you run a disease, a person is waiting for disability or even death.

The main reason for the development of hydrocephalus in adults - a violation of the process of generation and outflow of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Pediatric hydrocephalus in most cases are diagnosed immediately after birth. The disease is characterized by enlarged head size.

An adult is facing pathologies after diseases, which negatively affected the vascular and nervous system. It is important to identify the disease at an early stage, to early treatment and prevent irreversible consequences.

Types of brain hydrocephalus in adults

In medicine, there is a large classification of dropsy, for each type is characterized by certain symptoms.

Title	Description
Open (dizrezorbtivnaya)	It occurs against a background of malabsorption of cerebrospinal fluid in the circulatory system. A common cause of pathological changes - an infectious disease (meningitis). Brain volume decreases gradually, and tissue atrophy.
Locked (occlusive)	It occurs during physical obstacles CSF outflow in the circulatory system (cyst, tumor, hemorrhage, thrombosis or inflammation). Fluid accumulates in the ventricles of departments.
hypersecretion	Rare type of hydrocephalus occurring in 5% of cases. The main reason - excessive production of cerebrospinal fluid in the choroid plexus background pathologies.

There is also a mixed hydrocephalus, when the human brain is reduced in size, and collects cerebrospinal fluid in its place.

By the time of occurrence of the disease are distinguished in the following order:

Title	Description
congenital	There is a person from birth.
acquired	It occurs after suffering certain diseases.
substitution	It appears when degradation of brain tissue and replacing it with liquor.

Early diagnosis of the disease and correctly chosen treatment will get rid of the disease. Otherwise a high probability of serious changes in the central nervous system. It suffers as intelligence. Prompt treatment will prevent complications and stop irreversible.

Stage and grade of brain hydrocephalus in adults

Given the course of pathological processes in medicine are 3 stages of hydrocephalus in adults:

Title	Description
acute	The period between when the first signs and gross decompensation passes 3 days.
Subacute (progredient)	The disease is not less than one month from the date of the first signs.
chronic	Pathology lasts from 3 weeks to 6 months or longer, accompanied by mild symptoms.

Given the clinical manifestations of hydrocephalus, in medicine are 3 degrees occurrence of pathological processes:

Title	Description
easy	At this stage, the human body is able to independently restore the movement of cerebrospinal fluid. The patient there is a weakness, headache, malaise, and a slight dizzy, sometimes dark eyes.
Central	Hydrocephalus average gravity accompanied pronounced signs of brain damage. There is a pressure in the eyeballs and the appearance of the colored circles under the eyes are closed. Headache worse after exercise. Nausea, vomiting, and weight in the skull.
Weight	The degree of edema at which appear jerky and epileptic seizures. Often, the person loses consciousness, there are problems with memory and intellectual abilities are violated. Patient difficult to maintain themselves.

In each case, the disease is accompanied by the characteristic features that help the doctor to establish an accurate diagnosis and choose the most effective treatment.

Symptoms of brain hydrocephalus in adults

brain Hydrocephalus (treatment selects the physician, taking into account the clinical picture and the results of analyzes) in most of cases in the adult is accompanied by increased intracranial pressure, increased cranial bones are not observed.

The main symptom of pathological changes - a persistent headache, which can not be eliminated with the help of analgesics. At night, the intracranial pressure (ICP) increases, so the person in the morning worried about a severe headache.

The acute form of hydrocephalus in adults accompanied by the following clinical signs:

• nausea, vomiting;
• poor eyesight;
• increased drowsiness, weakness;
• dizzy, disturbed coordination;
• arise paresis;
• violated oculomotor function;
• changing muscle tone.

Against the background of the progression of pathological processes and it worsens the patient's behavior, increased aggression, or vice versa, a man indifferent to all things around (apathy).

The chronic form of hydrocephalus is characterized by the following features:

• patient worries insomnia;
• apathy appears to the outside world;
• disturbed walking;
• there are problems with memory;
• there are cognitive disorders.

Epileptic seizures and incontinence (enuresis) also point to the development of hydrocephalus in adults.

Causes of brain hydrocephalus in adults

In most cases, the brain hydrocephalus in adults is the result of numerous pathologies, including:

• hypertonic disease;
• heart failure;
• tuberculosis;
• encephalitis;
• meningitis;
• kidney disease;
• brain tumors;
• hypoxia;
• alcoholism;
• coronary artery disease;
• traumatic brain injury that caused the mother liquor brain structures and blood vessels rupture, as post-traumatic complications;
• vascular aneurysm;
• sarcoidosis.

Atrophic processes in brain tissue also lead to the development of brain hydrocephalus. The same applies to complications after surgery when the brain swells or observed squeezing liquor, supplying the channels. The cause of the disease may also be a rare genetic disease - Dandy Walker syndrome, Bickers Adams.

Diagnosing brain hydrocephalus in adults

brain Hydrocephalus (treatment and diagnosis is determined by a physician after a thorough medical Survey) causes symptoms of common disorders in the body, with which the patient is drawn first to the therapist. More may need to consult a neurologist, neurosurgeon and ophthalmologist.

For the diagnosis of hydrocephalus in adults doctor prescribes the following examinations:

Title	Description
Collection of complaints and anamnesis	The doctor discovers the presence in the past, a person hemorrhages, infections or head injury. It is important to take into account any factors which negatively affect the work of the brain.
Fundus examination	A survey to determine the congestion.
General examination by an ophthalmologist	The doctor examines the acuity and visual field. Determines violations of oculomotor functions.
Computed tomography (CT)	Effective methods that allow to confirm or deny the development of brain edema. The results show the severity of pathological processes, will help determine the shape and type of hydrocephalus. In some situations, the computer and magnetic resonance imaging to help determine the source of violations.
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
Electroencephalography	diagnostic method is a great accessory as it shows the brain work, but not the development of pathological processes.
Ultrasonography (US)	The results show the degree of intracranial hypertension.
radiography	It allows to determine the state of blood vessels and their walls.
cisternography	It helps determine the shape of a brain edema. Learn also the direction of liquor.

Diagnose pathology also allows lumbar puncture. Laboratory examination of cerebrospinal fluid helps determine the inflammatory process.

When to see a doctor

brain dropsy cure neurosurgeon. But a doctor should be treated with the appearance of any signs of neurological disorders (poor sleep, fatigue, general weakness, frequent headaches, mental health problems or if you have problems with the vestibular apparatus). The specialist will examine, will appoint an additional examination and select safe treatment to prevent serious complications.

Prevention of brain hydrocephalus in adults

Warn dropsy possible, starting with the birth.

Women who bears a child, it is recommended:

• drink folic acid, and vitamins;
• as a preventive measure to visit the doctor to promptly treat a variety of diseases;
• during gestation baby to give up cigarettes and alcohol consumption;
• taking medication drugs is strictly under the supervision of, and in compliance with the prescribing physician.

Adult, to prevent the emergence of a brain edema, recommended less nervous, avoid stress, time to treat venereal diseases.

Fatigue is also a provoking factor. If the family had relatives with the brain hydrocephalus, it is important to constantly observed by a doctor, get regular checkups to detect violations at an early stage.

Methods of treatment of brain hydrocephalus in adults

Hydrocephalus brain (treatment depends on the source of the problem, and the degree of percolation stage pathology) often eliminated by surgery. Medications used in the early stages of disease development. During medical procedures, the surgeon removes the excess liquid that has accumulated in the cranial cavity.

Medications

Medicaments used as adjunct therapy. Medication to a patient selects a neurologist or neurosurgeon.

drug Group	Title	The use and effectiveness
diuretics	"Diakarb", "Manit" "Furosemide".	Excrete excess liquid. Take 0.5-1 tab. 1 p. a day or every other day. Treatment is carried courses for 2-4 d. intermittently.
Means for correcting the level of potassium	"Asparkam".	Fills an insufficient amount of magnesium and potassium. The daily dosage is 1-2 pi. 3 r. per day. The course of treatment in most cases is 3-4 weeks. After the break, you can resume therapy.
Preparations for the improvement of nutrition of brain tissue	"Aktovegin", "Cavintonum".	Intravenously every day for 100-200 mg for 2 weeks followed by transfer onto the tablets. Drugs improving cerebral tissue nutrition.
vasoactive drugs	"Glivenol" "Magnesium sulfate".	Improve blood circulation and restore vascular tone. Medication taken during meals or after meals. Minimal dosage - 400 mg (1 kap.) 2 r. a day for 2 weeks. The maximum daily dose is 800 mg.
painkillers	"Nimesil", "Ketoprofen".	Relieves pain and neurological symptoms of cerebral edema. Medication taken after meals. The contents of the bag "Nimesil" was dissolved in 100 ml of water. Take 2 r. a day for 15 d.
glucocorticosteroids	"Prednisolone" "Betamethasone".	Drugs withdrawn from the body toxins and administered to patients in a serious condition as immunosuppressants. Minimal dosage "prednisolone" is 20-30 mg per day.
barbiturates	"Phenobarbital".	Sedative, eliminating adverse effects on the central nervous system. The drug take 30-50 mg 3. in a day.

For the treatment of mild brain hydrocephalus sufficiently diuretics. In difficult situations, the drug used in the period before surgery. Medications reduce the negative manifestation of the disease, but completely rid of dropsy can not.

Traditional methods

Unconventional means are used exclusively to eliminate the unpleasant clinical signs which accompany cerebral edema. Therapy is selected together with the doctor, because you can provoke allergic reactions or exacerbate health.

Title	Recipe	The use and effectiveness
Berries or bark of buckthorn	The product is pre-dried and ground to a fine powder. Buckthorn bark is used for the preparation of infusions.	Powder take 3 p. per day, not more than 0,5 g Tincture use 1 tbsp Buckthorn extract from the pharmacy take 20-40 cap. 3 r. in a day.
Tincture of cornflower	Flowers of the plant (2 tsp) pour boiling water (250 ml). Leave until cool, strain and take scheme.	A diuretic. The infusion taking 1/5 of Art. 3 r. a day for 15 minutes before eating.
Swamp calamus	Polish marsh calamus root (50 g). Add 0.5 liters of vodka. Leave in a dark place. You can prepare a decoction by marsh sedge. plant root (15 g) Pour hot water (0.6 L). Put on the fire and heat for 25 minutes. Cool, strain and drink scheme.	Medication strengthens the whole body and restores process of urination. The infusion take 1 dl 3 r. a day 30 minutes before meal. Broth from bog calamus in brain hydrocephalus take the same pattern as that of the infusion.
Juice of black radish	For the preparation of medicines need to get the juice of black radish. Mix it with garlic juice in equal proportions (1: 1).	The drug is recommended to take immediately after preparation according to scheme 1 tsp 3 r. in a day. The course of treatment lasts at least a month.

Tea Nettle root helps to eliminate many of the symptoms of cerebral edema. The product is ground and pour boiling water. Insist and take 2 p. a day instead of tea. It is important to remember that the traditional recipes recommended for use in the treatment of hydrocephalus.

Other methods

Hydrocephalus brain (treatment in most cases is done surgically) it is a serious disorder in which immediate action is required.

To remove the excess cerebrospinal fluid accumulated in the intracranial space, physicians use the following operations:

Title	Description
Endoscopic third ventricle bottom ventrikulotsisternostomiya	The most frequently used operation conducted invasive and less traumatic. With the help of neuroendoscope and special surgical instruments doctor making a hole in the bottom of the third ventricle. So restored the natural movement of cerebrospinal fluid between the ventricles and cisterns. The operation lasts not more than 20 minutes.
External ventricular drainage	The procedure is performed in acute edema, which threatens the life of the patient. The surgeon performs a craniotomy and imposes external drains to ensure outflow of excess fluid.
Shunt operation (ventriculoperitoneal, ventriculoatrial, kistoperitonealnoe bypass)	The operation is performed in the chronic form of hydrocephalus. During medical procedures, the surgeon uses special valves and catheters to withdraw spinal fluid in natural cavities of the human body.

During the treatment of brain hydrocephalus patient is recommended to comply with diet, to reduce the progression of the disease and to prevent the irreversible processes. It is important to eliminate from the diet food and products that contribute to the accumulation of fluid in the human body (meats, pastries, fatty meats and poultry, fresh baked goods).

possible complications

Without proper and adequate treatment of the disease provokes serious consequences. Pathological processes are progressing, which can lead to even death of the patient.

Possible complications of brain hydrocephalus in adults:

• seizures;
• brain edema;
• stroke;
• mental disorders;
• reduced muscle tone limbs;
• there is fluid and electrolyte imbalance;
• problems with hearing, sight;
• coma;
• displacement of the brain;
• failure of the respiratory and cardiac systems.

Hydrocephalus is a dangerous disease, a person may become disabled or die, due to irreversible changes. The therapist advised to contact the hospital at the first signs of hydrocephalus. It is important to identify the disease at an early stage and prevent its further progression.

Prognosis in most cases depends on the speed of receiving medical care. brain hydrocephalus can be successfully treated at an early stage. Irreversible complications and consequences can be prevented, if we turn to the hospital in a timely manner.

Video of the brain hydrocephalus in adults, its symptoms and treatments

What is hydrocephalus:

The treatment of hydrocephalus by the operation: