Hydrocephalus should be treated in the neurology department.

Written by Chen Yu Fei
Neurosurgery
Updated on February 26, 2025
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If you have hydrocephalus, it is recommended to visit the neurosurgery department at your local hospital and ask a neurosurgeon to assess your current condition. It is generally advised that patients undergo a cranial CT scan or MRI to determine the extent and severity of the hydrocephalus and to choose the appropriate treatment method. For static hydrocephalus, most patients do not exhibit clear clinical symptoms and generally do not require special treatment, regular monitoring is sufficient. For progressive hydrocephalus, surgical treatment is often necessary, and it is generally recommended that patients undergo ventriculoperitoneal shunt surgery. With surgical treatment, most patients can achieve satisfactory results.

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Written by Chen Yu Fei
Neurosurgery
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How is hydrocephalus treated?

If hydrocephalus is suspected, it is advised to first visit a local hospital for an emergency cranial CT scan to determine the type and severity of the hydrocephalus. This helps identify the main causes of the condition and whether it is communicating or non-communicating hydrocephalus. Treatment plans should then be based on the patient's symptoms and physical signs. For those with obvious clinical symptoms of obstructive hydrocephalus, surgery is often recommended. Clinically, a ventriculoperitoneal shunt surgery is generally chosen. Through surgical intervention, original symptoms can gradually alleviate or even disappear, and the morphology of the ventricular system can progressively return to normal.

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Written by Gao Yi Shen
Neurosurgery
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Can fetal hydrocephalus be kept?

Whether fetal hydrocephalus should result in termination must be determined based on a specific analysis of the particular medical condition at that time. Fetal hydrocephalus is merely a manifestation of an illness. It is essential to understand the root cause of the hydrocephalus to make a clear decision regarding the options available. If the hydrocephalus is combined with cranial malformations or abnormalities in the cerebral gyri and sulci or other congenital development defects, in general, such conditions are not survivable even into adulthood. There is no possibility of survival, and even if surgery is performed later, it cannot provide an effective treatment. However, in cases where conditions such as spina bifida occur, with active surgical intervention, these can have a very positive prognosis. Therefore, it is crucial to clearly identify the specific medical condition at the time to determine the most appropriate course of action.

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Written by Chen Yu Fei
Neurosurgery
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Is hydrocephalus serious?

Hydrocephalus is relatively serious. When hydrocephalus occurs, it gradually affects the patient's motor functions of the limbs, causing weakness in one or both sides, difficulty in lifting, walking impairments, difficulty performing fine motor actions, and ataxia. It may even lead to frequent falls. Additionally, there are significant cognitive impairments, characterized by reduced intelligence levels, decreased computational abilities, and even certain degrees of language dysfunctions. Patients may also exhibit significant personality changes, such as feelings of anxiety, depression, apathetic expressions, and a dislike for communication and interaction with others.

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Written by Chen Yu Fei
Neurosurgery
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How to prevent hydrocephalus?

To prevent hydrocephalus, it is first recommended to cultivate good living habits, such as a diet low in salt and fat, and light in nature. Avoid eating overly greasy, spicy, and irritating foods. Additionally, engage in aerobic exercise daily, keeping it under 30 minutes, which can effectively prevent the occurrence of hydrocephalus. For patients with severe cranial trauma or serious central nervous system infections, toxic encephalopathy, etc., if the patient's condition is stable, a timely follow-up head CT scan should be conducted to dynamically observe changes in the patient’s condition. Furthermore, if some patients do not have clear contraindications for surgery, considering a lumbar puncture might be an option to maintain the fluid flow in the brain and prevent hydrocephalus.

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Written by Chen Yu Fei
Neurosurgery
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Is hydrocephalus easy to treat?

For patients with hydrocephalus, it is generally recommended to treat the condition surgically. Before the surgery, the patient should undergo a cranial CT or MRI to assess the type and severity of the hydrocephalus. If possible, a lumbar puncture should also be performed before the surgery to determine whether there is a significant increase in intracranial pressure, and a small amount of cerebrospinal fluid should be collected for routine and biochemical analysis of the cerebrospinal fluid. If there are no obvious contraindications to surgery, clinically, it is generally recommended to choose a ventriculoperitoneal shunt surgery. Most patients respond well to the surgery, and the morphology of the ventricular system gradually returns to normal.