Monday-Sunday 08:30 - 20:00
г. Киев, ул. Ковпака 17 (On the map)
г. Белая Церковь, ул. Таращанская 191А (On the map)
On the page of CSM Clinic in Kyiv, you will find information about hydrocephalus, a condition associated with excess fluid accumulation in the brain. Our specialists carry out careful diagnostics and discuss modern treatment options, including surgical interventions and conservative therapy, aimed at the best possible outcome for each patient.
Hydrocephalus is an excess of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in the ventricles and around the brain, which raises intracranial pressure. In everyday speech it is called "water on the brain." It may be congenital or acquired and occurs in infants, children, and adults, and treatment depends on the cause and on how quickly symptoms progress.
In brief:
At CSM Clinic in Kyiv, examination and diagnostics are carried out by pediatric neurologists and neurologists.
The mysterious hydrocephalus is a medical term from the field of neurology that many people of different ages encounter during their lives. In common speech it is called "water on the brain."
In essence, hydrocephalus is an excessive amount of cerebrospinal fluid in the ventricles of the brain and in the spaces beneath its membranes. On the one hand, this fluid is a valuable resource: it supplies nutrients for the normal functioning of the brain and protects it, acting as a shock absorber. On the other hand, an excess of it can lead to unpleasant and sometimes serious consequences.
Hydrocephalus may be congenital or may result from head injuries, brain tumors, infections, and diseases that adversely affect the natural flow of cerebrospinal fluid. Hydrocephalus in adults can appear after blockage of vessels, hemorrhages after a stroke, and other brain damage.
General symptoms of hydrocephalus:
The symptoms of hydrocephalus are wide-ranging, and each of them affects a person's or child's overall health and quality of life in its own way: from short-term or long-term problems to disability or death.
Hydrocephalus can be caused by genetic heredity, maternal illnesses or infections, and defects in the formation of the nervous system during prenatal development. In each individual case there may be its own specific cause, which requires careful investigation in order to prescribe appropriate treatment.
Usually, the main one is considered to be a disproportionate enlargement of the head. Accompanying symptoms may also include:
Hydrocephalus, the consequences of which can be very dangerous for infants and children, can delay overall development and negatively affect cognitive functions: comprehension and awareness, memory, and recognition. Children may have difficulty taking in information and learning.
At CSM Clinic in Kyiv, where neurology is a main area of practice, modern equipment is used for studying and diagnosing disorders of the brain and spinal cord of any complexity. The clinic uses standard methods of examining hydrocephalus (ultrasound, CT, MRI) as well as additional ones: CSF manometry (measuring fluid volume and intracranial pressure) and lumbar puncture (examination of a cerebrospinal fluid sample).
The qualifications and experience of our specialists make it possible to approach these conditions with care. Treatment of hydrocephalus is a strictly individual matter. The range of approaches includes medication, surgical interventions (artificial removal of excess cerebrospinal fluid), and, additionally, physiotherapy and rehabilitation procedures and techniques (for example, reflexology).
Book an appointment: Pediatric neurorehabilitation in Kyiv
The main symptoms of hydrocephalus include an enlarged head (especially in infants), headaches, nausea, vomiting, problems with coordination, visual impairment, developmental delay in children, and changes in behavior.
Diagnosis of hydrocephalus at our clinic includes a neurological examination, ultrasound studies (for infants), and computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to assess fluid accumulation in the brain.
In general, treatment options for hydrocephalus include surgical interventions such as ventriculoperitoneal shunting or endoscopic third ventriculostomy, as well as conservative therapy to control symptoms and improve patients' quality of life. The doctor decides on the approach after diagnosis.
Yes. As more fluid accumulates, pressure on the brain grows, which can lead to developmental delay and problems with vision and speech, and in adults to problems with walking and memory. Hydrocephalus that is detected in time can often be stabilized, so if you suspect it, do not wait for it to go away. The outlook depends on the cause, the age, and how early treatment is started.
Sometimes. Small, non-progressive forms may only be observed, and medication can help temporarily. If fluid continues to accumulate, the main treatment is surgical: shunting or an endoscopic procedure that restores CSF outflow. The doctor makes the decision after diagnostics.
The main sign is that the head grows faster than the child does. The forehead protrudes, dilated veins are visible on the skin, the fontanelle is tense, and the gaze may be directed downward. Photos are not suitable for diagnosis: head circumference is measured at every pediatrician visit, and the suspicion is confirmed by neurosonography, CT, or MRI.
In older age there is a form that develops slowly, with normal CSF pressure. It is characterized by three signs: a shuffling, unsteady gait, worsening memory, and urinary incontinence. It is often mistaken for age-related changes, so an MRI is needed. It is one of the causes of memory problems that can sometimes be eased with surgery.
Diagnosis and follow-up are done by a neurologist, and for a child by a pediatric neurologist. If surgery is needed, a neurosurgeon is involved. In infants, the first alarming signs are often noticed by the pediatrician while measuring head circumference, so a referral for neurosonography should be followed without delay.
Mostly not. In most children the cause is a brain malformation, infections during pregnancy, hemorrhage, or birth complications. Rare genetic forms exist, so if similar cases have already occurred in the family, tell your neurologist and, if needed, consult a geneticist.
