Acquired Hydrocephalus
Treatment

Acquired hydrocephalus is most commonly treated by either removing the cause of the condition, such as a tumor or other blockage, or inserting a shunt. The shunt is a flexible plastic tube that diverts excess cerebrospinal fluid from the brain to the abdomen where it can be absorbed back into the body. A valve within the shunt regulates and prevents excessive drainage.

A limited number of patients can be treated with an alternative procedure called endoscopic third ventriculostomy, or ETV. In this procedure, a small hole is made in the floor of the third ventricle of the brain, one of the brain's four cavities. This allows the cerebrospinal fluid to bypass the obstruction and flow toward an area where it can be reabsorbed by the body.

If you have questions about your child's treatment, feel free to ask your child's doctors, nurses and therapists. If the treatment includes medication, be sure that your child takes it exactly as instructed. Remember to bring your child to all follow-up appointments.

Your medical team will explain possible risks or complications from these treatments. You may be referred to additional doctors or other medical professionals.

Hydrocephalus can pose risks to both mental and physical development, but many children diagnosed with this disorder benefit from rehabilitation and educational programs and go on to lead normal lives.

Reviewed by health care specialists at UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital.
Last updated July 14, 2010