The association of acquired hydrocephaly with different brain diseases in Babylon

الملخص EN

Hydrocephaly is believed to result from imbalance between CSF production and absorption causing increase in size of the cerebral ventricles.

It is classified as: Communicating hydrocephalus, in which flow is not obstructed, but CSF is inadequately reabsorbed and the non-communicating hydrocephalus or the Obstructive type, in which flow of CSF from the ventricles to subarachnoid space is obstructed.

This type may also be sub-classified into Congenital and Acquired.

The aim of study was to identify the association of acquired hydrocephaly with different brain pathologies. A retrospective study included thirty three patients who were diagnosed to have acquired hydrocephaly by CT scan or MRI.

Those patients were assessed by thorough history, physical examination & investigations to identify the underlying cause of hydrocephaly.

Investigations included complete blood picture, ESR, CSF examination, MRI & histopathology. The results showed that most cases of acquired hydrocephaly were found in children & young age group, however, no significant difference was found between male & female patients.

The most common cause was brain tumor & the most common tumor was medulloblastoma.

The next common causes were infection & trauma.

As acquired hydrocephaly affects children & young patients, high index of suspicion & early diagnosis are needed to prevent morbidity & mortality.