Internal asymmetric hydrocephalus of the brain in an adult. Symptoms and treatment of external replacement hydrocephalus of the brain

Content

Dropsy of the brain or hydrocephalus is a disease that affects not only small children, but also adults. It is very dangerous and can lead to extremely serious consequences. It will be useful for you to know what specific symptoms hydrocephalus has and what are the methods of treating the disease.

What is dropsy of the brain in adults

Hydrocephalus is a disease in which cerebrospinal fluid accumulates in the head. This does not mean ordinary water, but liquor. If dropsy in children, as a rule, is congenital, in which the head is enlarged in size, as can be seen in the photo, then in adults it appears as a result of past diseases. The disease is very difficult to detect and some even die from it. The effectiveness of the treatment of cerebral hydrocephalus in an adult depends entirely on the degree to which it was detected. Each type of dropsy has its own characteristic manifestations.

Symptoms and signs of hydrocephalus

Allocate external, internal and mixed type of dropsy. The latter is considered the most dangerous. Mixed hydrocephalus implies a decrease in the brain, in which the accumulation of fluid occurs both in the space of the ventricles and in the subarachnoid. If it is moderate, then the patient has practically no complaints and he can live with it for a very long time. In more serious cases, the manifestations of hydroencephalopathy in adults are as follows:

1. Headache. It almost does not pass, but in the morning it is stronger than in other periods.
2. Nausea. Like a headache, it is especially acute in the morning.
3. Drowsiness. This symptom signals that hydrocephalus is accompanied by other neurological disorders.
4. Speech disorders, memory problems.

Outdoor

This is non-occlusive replacement hydrocephalus. The subarachnoid space is enlarged, and fluid accumulates in it. An adult with this disease has the following symptoms:

• constant feeling of fatigue;
• nausea, vomiting;
• minor visual impairment;
• sweating;
• double vision;
• changes in sexual behavior;
• walking disorders.

Internal

If an adult has triventricular occlusive hydrocephalus, in which CSF fills the spaces of the ventricles, he may suffer from:

• increased intracranial pressure;
• nausea, vomiting;
• severe headaches;
• vision and hearing problems.

Causes of hydrocephalus in adults

A huge number of factors can provoke dropsy of the brain. The disease occurs due to:

• suffered a stroke;
• infectious diseases of the brain and membranes (meningitis, encephalitis, ventriculitis, tuberculosis);
• tumors;
• vascular pathologies, including aneurysm ruptures;
• head injuries and post-traumatic conditions (normotensive hydrocephalus);
• developmental disorders of the nervous system;
• violations of the production, circulation, absorption of cerebrospinal fluid;
• low density of the medulla.

Treatment

Hydrocephalus of the brain in an adult is diagnosed by the following methods:

1. MRI. It helps not only to verify the correctness of the diagnosis, but also to determine its causes.
2. CT scan.
3. Cisternography. Diagnostics serves to determine the type of hydrocephalus.
4. Neuropsychological examination.
5. X-ray with contrast agent.

If, as a result of one or more of these studies, the prognosis was confirmed, the following methods of treatment are used:

1. Medical therapy. The option is suitable if hydrocephalus is moderate. An adult patient is prescribed drugs that lower intracranial pressure (Lasix, Mannitol), diuretics. During the therapy, a light therapeutic massage is also used. All this will help to stabilize the condition of an adult patient, but not to cure it, but to achieve a subcompensated stage.
2. Shunting of the brain. Not performed for chronic hydroencephaly, inflammation, vision problems, but effective for asymmetric form. An adult patient is given a drain, through which the excess cerebrospinal fluid goes to other spaces of the body. The operation in the vast majority of cases gives a positive result. After some time, an adult fully returns to his normal life. Periodically, a secondary shunt is needed.
3. Endoscopy. Effective in mixed, replacement, symmetrical hydrocephalus. Endoscopic surgery is performed with microinstruments. With their help, fluid is removed and the cause that disrupts its circulation, for example, a tumor.
4. Folk remedies. Effective solely to suppress the symptoms that manifest hydrocephalic syndrome. It is recommended to use diuretic herbal decoctions (oregano, bearberry, parsley), juniper berries, alcohol solution of calamus root.
5. Diet. In the case of hydrocephalus of the brain in an adult, it is necessary to follow the rules of nutrition aimed at improving the exchange of water-salt balance. It is necessary to categorically refuse products, due to which fluid accumulates in the body. These are fresh bread, fatty meat and poultry, smoked meats, sausages, sweets. Instead, you need to eat more fresh vegetables and fruits, cereals. The dishes are best cooked with steam.

Various neurological pathologies are increasingly common in modern people. And the reason for this, as a rule, is not only the deplorable state of the environment, but also the dizzying rhythm of modern life, frequent stresses and other diverse and very dangerous factors that have already become part of our daily lives. One of the most serious and widespread neurological diseases is external replacement hydrocephalus, more popularly known as "dropsy of the brain".

Definition and general characteristics of the disease

The popular name very accurately and quite fully characterizes the essence of this pathology. But if expressed in the language of medical terminology, then external replacement hydrocephalus is a nosological form of various pathological manifestations in the space of the cranium, characterized by a significant expansion of the ventricular system of the brain and a strong narrowing of the subarachnoid cavities due to excessive accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid, also called cerebrospinal fluid, as a result of various violations of its circulation, absorption or secretion. The main characteristic of this serious disease is a significant decrease in the volume of the medulla and the filling of the vacant space with cerebrospinal fluid.

Causes of hydrocephalic pathology

Forms of hydrocephalic syndrome and its symptoms

By the nature of its course, hydrocephalus is subdivided into an active form and a passive one. The first is characterized by a significant expansion of CSF-containing cavities and requires immediate treatment. In the passive (latent) form of hydrocephalus, there is an expansion of liquor-containing spaces due to the primary destruction of the structural tissues of the cerebral cortex by various pathological processes. As for the symptoms of this pathology, it is usually manifested by nausea, vomiting and (at a later stage) dysfunction of the vestibular apparatus - a disorder of coordination of movements.

Diagnostics

The leading diagnostic methods that allow timely detection of hidden hydrocephalic processes are computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging, isotope encephalography, which is quite effective for the timely detection of destructive changes occurring in the cranial cavities. X-ray, ultrasound, and angiography are often used as aids to clarify the diagnosis.

Treatment

External replacement hydrocephalus, the treatment of which requires a particularly responsible approach and professionalism from the doctor, and from the patient - patience, understanding and awareness of the complexity of this clinical case, often involves surgical intervention. Since it is not possible to achieve a significant clinical effect by medical methods. And by means of a bypass operation in 80% of cases, it is possible to completely remove the excess amount of cerebrospinal fluid and thereby return the patient to a healthy life. Of the drug methods, one can single out the use of the drug "Diakarb" - a powerful diuretic that restores the functions of the central nervous system and controls the outflow of cerebrospinal fluid.

Hydrocephalus of the brain is a serious pathology characterized by the accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid in the head. Most often it develops in young children, but adults are no exception. Their dropsy is considered acquired, and any external signs of it are not visible.

If the disease is not detected in time, the person may even die. The effectiveness of hydrocephalus therapy depends on when it was detected. Fluid accumulates in the subarachnoid compartments, as well as the ventricular system.

What it is?

Hydrocephalus (dropsy) of the brain is a disease in which there is an increase in the volume of the ventricles of the brain. The main cause of this pathological condition is the excessive production of cerebrospinal fluid and its accumulation in the region of the brain cavities. Dropsy mainly occurs in newborns, but can also be characteristic of older age groups.

Factors of the onset of the disease

Some of the most common causes of cerebral hydrocephalus in adults are:

1. Postponed ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke;
2. congenital hydrocephalus
3. Neoplasms (tumor);
4. Infectious diseases (meningitis, encephalitis);
5. Traumatic brain injury;
6. vascular pathology;
7. Alcoholic, toxic and other encephalopathies;
8. Intraventricular hemorrhages. Moreover, it does not matter whether the hemorrhage was formed due to injury or not;
9. Disorders of the CNS.

Most often, this disease occurs in infants, but also develops in adults. At the moment, research shows that almost any disorder of the central nervous system can provoke hydrocephalus.

Internal or closed hydrocephalus

This type of hydrocephalus is similar to the previous type, however, in this case, a large amount of cerebrospinal fluid is observed just inside the ventricles. The cause of the non-occlusive form is the blockage of the CSF pathways as a result of an inflammatory adhesive process, and intraventricular hemorrhage or a tumor can also be the cause.

In the event of any injury or blockage of the interventricular, asymmetric hydrocephalus of the brain may occur. The growing enlargement of the ventricles causes the death of brain tissue, leading to flattening of the gyri.

External or open hydrocephalus

This type of disease is manifested due to the excess content of cerebrospinal fluid in the SAH. However, it is worth highlighting that the cerebrospinal fluid directly in the ventricles of the brain is normal. The reasons for the development of this form are atherosclerosis, hypertension and traumatic brain injury.

This form is characterized by the absence of various symptoms, namely, symptoms such as headache or increased blood pressure. It should also be noted that in this case, latent hydrocephalus often develops, as a result of which the volume of the brain can noticeably decrease, and the free space can be filled with cerebrospinal fluid.

mixed

From the name it becomes clear that the cerebrospinal fluid fills both the ventricle of the brain and the subarachnoid space. More often occurs in older people as a result of insufficient stability of the cervical vertebrae, hypertension and atherosclerosis.

Symptoms of hydrocephalus, photo

With acutely developing occlusive hydrocephalus in adults, the symptoms are due to signs of increased intracranial pressure:

1. Nausea and vomiting - also observed in the morning, after vomiting, sometimes there is relief from the headache.
2. Headache - especially pronounced in the morning upon awakening, which is explained by an additional increase in intracranial pressure during sleep.
3. Symptoms of axial dislocation of the brain are a rapid depression of the patient's consciousness up to a deep coma, while the patient assumes a forced position of the head, oculomotor disorders appear. If compression of the medulla oblongata occurs, then the signs of hydrocephalus are manifested by depression of cardiovascular activity and respiration, which can be fatal.
4. Drowsiness is one of the most dangerous signs of increased intracranial pressure, if drowsiness occurs, then a rapid, rather sharp worsening of neurological symptoms is approaching.
5. Stasis of the optic discs - a violation of the axoplasmic current in the optic nerve and an increase in pressure in the subarachnoid space around it, leads to impaired vision.

If chronic hydrocephalus is formed, then the symptoms and clinical picture are significantly different from acute hydrocephalus in adults: Dementia - most often the first symptoms occur 15-20 days after an injury, hemorrhage, meningitis or other disease:

1. A decrease in the general activity of the patient, he becomes inert, indifferent, indifferent, lack of initiative.
2. A person confuses day with night, that is, he experiences drowsiness during the day and insomnia at night.
3. Memory is disturbed - first of all, this is a decrease in short-term numerical memory, while a person incorrectly names months, dates, forgets his age.
4. In the late advanced stages of the disease, gross mnemonic-intellectual disorders can develop, when a person is not able to serve himself, he may not answer the questions he is asked or answer in monosyllables, inadequately, think for a long time, pause between words.

Apraxia of walking is a syndrome when a person in a prone position can easily show how to walk or ride a bicycle, and when he gets up, he cannot walk normally, he walks with his legs wide apart, sways, shuffles.

Urinary incontinence This symptom may not always be present, and is a late and intermittent sign of hydrocephalus in adults.

Diagnostics

Currently, the following instrumental research methods are used to confirm and identify the cause of hydrocephalus:

1. Examination of the fundus by an ophthalmologist. If the optic discs are edematous, this indicates increased intracranial pressure, which may be a sign of hydrocephalus.
2. Measuring the circumference of the head with a centimeter tape (if the child's head increases by more than 1.5 cm per month, then this indicates hydrocephalus; an increase in the size of the head in an adult by any value indicates hydrocephalus).
3. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the "gold standard" in the diagnosis of hydrocephalus. The method allows not only to diagnose hydrocephalus, but also to identify its causes and existing damage in the structure of brain tissues. MRI criteria for hydrocephalus are an interventricular index greater than 0.5 and periventricular edema.
4. Ultrasound of the skull (neurosonography - NSG). The method is used only in children of the first year of life, in which it is possible to examine the brain through an open fontanel. Since the fontanel is overgrown in children older than a year and adults, and the bones of the skull are too dense, the NSG method is not suitable for them. This method is very approximate and inaccurate, therefore, its results can be considered the basis for an MRI, and not for a diagnosis of hydrocephalus.
5. Echoencephalography (EEG) and rheoencephalography (REG) are uninformative methods, which, nevertheless, are used to "diagnose" hydrocephalus. The results of REG and EEG studies can be completely ignored when deciding whether or not a person has hydrocephalus.
6. Computed tomography (CT) is a method similar to MRI, but much less accurate, so it is used relatively rarely.

To accurately identify or reject suspicions of hydrocephalus, it is necessary to evaluate the symptoms, conduct an MRI study and an examination of the fundus. If all studies give a result “for” hydrocephalus, then the suspicion of the presence of the disease is considered confirmed. If the data of any of the three indicated studies does not testify “for” hydrocephalus, then the person does not have this disease, and the existing symptoms were provoked by another pathology that needs to be identified.

Treatment of hydrocephalus

The initial stages of hydrocephalus can be treated with medication. For this, the following drugs are used:

• to reduce intracranial pressure and remove excess fluid (provided that the outflow of CSF is preserved) - diacarb (acetazolamide), mannitol and mannitol in combination with furosemide or lasix. Mandatory in this treatment is the correction of the level of potassium in the body, for this they use asparkam (panangin);
• to improve the nutrition of the brain tissue, cavinton (vinpocetine), actovegin (solcoseryl), gliatilin, choline, cortexin, cerebrolysin, semax, memoplant, etc. are indicated.

Clinically developed hydrocephalus is subject to surgical treatment, drug methods improve the condition for a short time.

Chronic hydrocephalus requires CSF shunting operations. This type of surgical treatment is the removal of excess cerebrospinal fluid into the natural cavities of the human body using a complex system of catheters and valves (abdominal cavity, pelvic cavity, atrium, etc.): ventriculoperitoneal, ventriculoatrial, cystoperitoneal shunting. In the cavities of the body, unhindered absorption of excess cerebrospinal fluid occurs. These operations are quite traumatic, but if performed correctly, they can achieve recovery of patients, their labor and social rehabilitation.

Acute hydrocephalus, as a life-threatening condition, requires urgent neurosurgical treatment. It consists in trepanation of the skull and the imposition of external drainage, providing an outflow of excess fluid. This is called external ventricular drainage. In addition, through the drainage system, it is possible to administer drugs that thin blood clots (since intraventricular hemorrhage is one of the most common causes of acute hydrocephalus).

To date, the less traumatic neuroendoscopic technique has taken the first place among invasive methods of treatment. It is still more often performed abroad due to the high cost of the operation itself. This method is called as follows: endoscopic ventriculocisternostomy of the bottom of the third ventricle. The operation takes only 20 minutes. With this method of treatment, a surgical instrument with a neuroendoscope (camera) at the end is inserted into the ventricles of the brain.

The camera allows you to display an image using a projector and accurately control all manipulations. At the bottom of the third ventricle, an additional opening is created that connects to the cisterns of the base of the brain, which eliminates the cause of hydrocephalus. Thus, the physiological liquor flow between the ventricles and cisterns is restored, as it were.

Complications of the disease

Patients, subject to a timely diagnosis, who undergo therapy, may well live the rest of their lives without significant complications.

In some cases, there is a violation of speech. There may be problems with the malfunction of the shunt or infection during its installation, which suggests its reinstallation. In especially complex and advanced cases with hydrocephalus in adults, disability is possible.

Forecast

The prognosis for this disease depends on the underlying cause and the time spent diagnosing and prescribing appropriate therapy. There may be some restrictions on further life. In some cases, a violation of the functions of the speech apparatus is possible.

Outcome

Obviously, the treatment of hydrocephalus in adults should be symptomatic, that is, involving the impact on the underlying disease and its symptoms. Therapeutic measures directly aimed at the clinical manifestations of a particular pathology are already described in the sections of our website. Nevertheless, once again I really want to warn patients and, especially, their relatives about the inappropriateness of self-treatment:

Only a neurologist is able to prevent the progression of the pathological process and the aggravation of the severity of the disease, since he has the necessary knowledge and qualifications.

As for children, it requires special attention and responsibility of both doctors and, of course, parents. It should be remembered that early diagnosis and timely treatment can ensure the baby's normal development and a full future life. You can not give up under any circumstances, you need to use all the methods proposed by modern medicine. And the disease will be defeated!

The central nervous system is one of the most important structures of the human body, which controls its activity. It consists of the spinal cord and brain, which are located inside the cranium or spinal column. Often these formations are exposed to adverse environmental factors, resulting in the development of external hydrocephalus. If earlier it was believed that such a disease is typical for children or adolescents, then in recent years there has been a pronounced increase in cases of this disease among the adult population. That is why it is so important to know the first symptoms of pathology and consult a doctor in time.

What is external cerebral hydrocephalus

External hydrocephalus is an accumulation of fluid (liquor) under the dura and arachnoid membranes of the brain. According to statistics, pathology occurs in every 20 people on the globe and leads to serious consequences.

There is also internal hydrocephalus, a condition in which CSF accumulates inside the ventricles of the brain and stretches them.

The brain is located in the cranial cavity. Its substance is lined from the inside with a choroid containing arteries and veins. Above it are the arachnoid and hard shells, separated by spaces of the same name, where cerebrospinal fluid circulates.

Existing forms of the disease

Classification of external hydrocephalus according to the nature of the course:

• acute (symptoms develop extremely quickly, typical of traumatic brain injury);
• subacute (the clinical picture is formed in 1-2 weeks);
• chronic (signs increase gradually and exist for more than six months when a tumor occurs).

Varieties of the disease due to the occurrence:

• open (associated with intensive formation of cerebrospinal fluid with its normal outflow);
• closed (impaired CSF output due to a mechanical obstacle - a tumor, a foreign body).

Forms of the disease depending on the time of development:

• congenital (detected in the womb by ultrasound or immediately after birth);
• acquired (occurs during the life of the patient under the influence of external factors).

Classification by intensity of symptoms:

• weak (there are initial signs of brain damage);
• moderate (consciousness is disturbed and certain parts of the patient's body are affected);
• severe (accompanied by paralysis of the entire body or facial muscles).

There is also a separate type of external hydrocephalus - a replacement form. Its peculiarity lies in the fact that the substance of the brain for some reason decreases in size, as a result of which the remaining space is filled with liquid. It occurs in patients over 60 years of age due to vascular damage.

Why is external hydrocephalus formed in children and adults

There are many reasons for the development of such a pathology. Most of them are associated with the introduction of an infection into the soft membranes of the pathogen, which is accompanied by the release of toxic substances that damage the brain, but there are also purely mechanical disturbances in the outflow of CSF.

The main causes of the development of the disease:

• and encephalitis (inflammation of the membranes of the brain of a viral, bacterial or fungal nature);
• malignant or benign neoplasms and cysts;
• anomalies in the development of the central nervous system;
• increased formation of liquor;
• infectious pathologies: HIV, syphilis, toxoplasmosis;
• massive hematoma or hemorrhage in the soft tissues of the membranes;
• head injury (bruise, concussion);
• brain deformities;
• use by the mother during pregnancy of narcotic drugs, alcohol, nicotine and certain medications;
• atherosclerotic or diabetic lesions of the vascular bed.

Video: doctors talk about external hydrocephalus

The clinical picture of the disease in adults

Symptoms of pathology develop gradually: this is due to the accumulation of fluid. The more it compresses the medulla, the stronger certain signs appear. For external hydrocephalus are typical:

• pressing, bursting nature, which increases after sleep, physical activity or stress;
• nausea and vomiting not associated with poisoning;
• increase in body temperature;
• increase in head size in rare cases;
• impaired vision, smell and hearing (with damage to certain nerves);
• decreased sensitivity of soft tissues;
• paralysis and paresis (changes in muscle tone and motor capabilities of the limb).

Features of external hydrocephalus in children

The body of the baby has some features that are uncharacteristic of the body of an adult. The skull bones of newborns and infants are more malleable, resulting in a pronounced deformity of the head. For the same reason, small patients experience less pain and are easier to tolerate even the most severe course of the disease. For children, a lag in neuropsychic development is also typical, which can be seen in a detailed comparison with peers.

After a long stay in a horizontal position, the child begins to cry: this is due to the accumulation of fluid in the soft tissues and irritation of the meninges.

Photo gallery: what babies with hydrocephalus look like

Developmental delay is associated with compression of vital centers Response to pain in the form of crying - a typical manifestation of hydrocephalus The deformity of the head is associated with the pliability of the bones of the skull.

How is external cerebral hydrocephalus diagnosed?

When the first symptoms of the disease appear, you should immediately contact a neurologist. He will conduct a detailed examination and clarify the time of occurrence of the disease, after which he will select a universal method of treatment for each patient.

Be sure to tell your doctor in detail about the events that preceded the onset of symptoms of external hydrocephalus. In my practice, I have come across a patient who began to show signs of pathology after a tourist trip to the mountains. It turned out that during the trip the victim fell off a cliff and received a head injury, which gave impetus to the formation of hydrocephalus. The man himself did not remember this because of amnesia, and it was possible to restore the sequence of events only thanks to a conversation with his closest relatives and friends.

What methods are used to diagnose the disease:

• analysis of the composition of the cerebrospinal fluid (color change, the appearance of leukocyte cells and protein indicates the infectious nature of hydrocephalus);
• magnetic resonance imaging allows you to identify tumor processes and foreign bodies that damage the cerebral cortex;
• radiography shows thinning of the bones of the skull and their deformation, which is often found in the later stages of the development of pathology.

Various treatments for the disease

Therapy of external hydrocephalus is an extremely long process. To begin with, doctors begin with the use of pharmaceuticals: they protect against the addition of secondary complications and fight the symptoms of the disease. A diet and a healthy lifestyle are also highly effective: when you give up alcohol and nicotine, the body cleanses itself and eliminates the problem on its own. If external hydrocephalus exists in the body of the victim for several years, surgical intervention is required. Doctors remove the cause that caused the fluid to stagnate, as a result of which the patient can forget about the pain. During the period of rehabilitation and recovery, it is extremely important to use gymnastics, massages, physiotherapy and manual therapy.

Treatment of pathology in children and adults does not have significant differences. For patients of mature age, operations are performed less frequently due to the risk of developing numerous complications.

The main goals of therapy:

• normalization of the outflow of fluid;
• prevention of skull deformation;
• reduction of headaches;
• stimulation of soft tissue healing;
• protection of the cerebral cortex from damage;
• protection from paralysis and paresis.

Video: a neurosurgeon talks about the principles of dealing with pathology

Medical treatment of the disease

All pharmaceutical preparations can be divided into etiotropic and symptomatic. The former are used to eliminate the cause that caused the disease, while the latter help to eliminate the clinical manifestations of the pathology. Doctors begin the therapeutic course with minimal dosages so as not to harm the patient's body. For children, medicines are practically not used, since babies do not tolerate most of these drugs.

Self-treatment of hydrocephalus often leads to adverse consequences and worsening of the patient's condition. That is why it is forbidden to take medicines without medical advice.

Means for etiotropic therapy:

1. Anticancer drugs are prescribed for patients with malignant neoplasms that cause external hydrocephalus. These medicines help prevent the spread of cancer cells throughout the body. These include Dopan, Chlorbutin, Cyclophosphamide, Cyclofsofan, Lomustine, Carmustine, Methotrexate, Cisplatin, Bisulfan, Tegafur, Cytarabine, Carboplatin, Colhamin, Bleocin.
2. Antibacterial agents are used in the presence of pathogenic microorganisms (staphylococcus, streptococcus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Proteus), which cause swelling of the meninges. The most common of them: Azlocillin, Ampiox, Augmentin, Zinnat, Zinacef, Rocephin, Cefalexin, Cefalotin, Cefaclor, Cefobid, Keiten, Maximim, Tienam, Teicoplanin, Vancomycin, Tetracycline, Ceftriaxone.
3. Antiviral drugs are used if there is a viral damage to the nervous system. These include Acyclovir, Ganciclovir, Oxolin, Metisazon, Remantadin, Zanamivir, Midantan, Arbidol, Efavirenz, Cycloferon.

Photo gallery: medicines for etiotropic treatment

Methotrexate inhibits tumor spread Cycloferon causes the death of viruses Ceftriaxone is a broad-spectrum antibiotic that kills many germs.

Drugs to eliminate the symptoms of pathology:

1. Diuretics remove excess fluid from the body, preventing the development of cerebral edema. Most often, Furosemide, Mannitol, Dichlothiazide, Cyclopenthiazide, Triamterene, Amiloride, Uregit, Clopamid, Indapamide, Lasix, Carbamide, Spironolactone are used for this purpose.
2. Non-steroidal and steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs reduce the severity of edema, reduce pressure on the membranes of the brain. The most common medicines: Hydrocotrisone, Cortef, Prednisolone, Dexamethasone, Nimesulide, Nurofen, Ibuprofen, Ibuklin, Tamoxifen, Aspirin, Ketorol, Diclofenac, Nise.
3. Immunostimulants help to improve the health of the patient and make him less sensitive to environmental factors. To this end, doctors prescribe Immunal, Viferon, Timalin, Timogen, Taktivin.
4. Pain medications block the flow of nerve impulses from the area of ​​damage to the cerebral cortex. The use of these drugs protects the body from the onset of shock. These include Morphine, Codeine, Narcotine, Omnopon, Tramal, Tramadol, Fentanyl, Promedol, Butorphanol, Thebaine.

Photo gallery: drugs for symptomatic therapy

Furosemide removes excess fluid from the body Ketorol relieves inflammation and pain Immunal helps to strengthen the immune system

Surgical treatment of external hydrocephalus

Conservative therapy in most cases is only a temporary solution to the problem. To finally get rid of external hydrocephalus, doctors perform surgical treatment. The indications for it are:

• joining the infection;
• danger of compression of the brain;
• loss of sensation and ability to move;
• childhood.

Surgical intervention is not performed if the victim is in a serious condition (coma, clinical death, shock, intoxication) or is not suitable for age parameters (over 80 years). What operations are carried out:

1. Removing a mechanical obstruction. If the cause of the development of external hydrocephalus is a malignant tumor, cyst, foreign body or adhesion, doctors cut out the pathological formation or part of it under general anesthesia (when the vital centers are affected). After such an operation, patients undergo rehabilitation in the neurosurgery department for several weeks.
2. Stent installation. To release fluid and reduce intracranial pressure, a system of thin tubes has been developed that remove cerebrospinal fluid into the abdominal or chest cavity. Surgical intervention of this nature is carried out in the case when a radical procedure to remove a foreign body is impossible.

Folk remedies to combat the symptoms of external hydrocephalus

Patients do not always immediately agree to surgery. If you are not yet ready to go under the surgeon's knife, and the use of pharmaceutical drugs affects your body extremely negatively, there is an easier way to alleviate the symptoms of the disease. All manifestations of external hydrocephalus are associated with compression of the brain, therefore, to reduce the volume of fluid, the use of folk remedies is allowed.

Do not forget that decoctions and infusions will not be able to completely rid you of the problem. That is why doctors advise not to abandon traditional treatment.

It is extremely difficult to calculate the correct dosage of diuretic plants and herbs: many patients experience unpleasant consequences. I had to participate in the treatment of a woman who drank 2 liters of bird cherry decoction during the day to fight a headache with hydrocephalus. Not only water was removed from the body, but also useful trace elements (potassium, sodium, magnesium), which participated in the organization of a normal heart rhythm. This led to the development of interruptions in the activity of the cardiovascular system, the patient was urgently hospitalized. The attack of arrhythmia was removed only in the cardioreanimation department: the victim was on the verge of death. Therefore, doctors strongly recommend monitoring the amount of added raw materials.

Folk recipes to combat the symptoms of the disease:

1. Grind 100 grams of birch buds with a meat grinder and pour a liter of vodka or medical alcohol. The tincture should be placed in a warm place and kept for 21 days before use. Before taking, strain the resulting mixture through cheesecloth or a sieve to remove any remaining raw materials. It is recommended to drink tincture before dinner (if you are not going to operate machinery or drive a car), 50 grams each. Birch buds allow you to effectively remove excess fluid from the body. The course of treatment lasts at least 4 months.
2. Put 50 grams of cornflower flowers in a saucepan with a liter of boiling water and cook for half an hour. After cooling, pour into a thermos and drink several sips throughout the day, regardless of the meal. Such a tool allows you to effectively deal with bouts of headaches and nausea, and also relieves stress. It is recommended to undergo a course of treatment of 60 procedures.
3. Soak one sachet of chamomile in a glass of boiling water. After cooling, take gauze or an unnecessary handkerchief, dip into the solution and squeeze thoroughly. The resulting compress must be placed on the forehead and kept for 10-15 minutes. This procedure relieves spasm of cerebral vessels and allows you to get rid of swelling. It is necessary to be treated in this way every evening for six months.

Photo gallery: folk remedies for the treatment of illness

Birch buds effectively remove excess fluid Cornflower eliminates a headache Chamomile relieves vascular spasm

Other ways to treat a pathological condition

For a complete recovery of the body and rehabilitation after the disease, the patient is prescribed a certain diet and visits to physiotherapy. This allows you to activate the internal reserves of the human body and stimulate it to fight the disease on its own.

What helps with the main manifestations of external hydrocephalus and its consequences:

Acupuncture allows you to use certain areas of the human body Electrical stimulation improves soft tissue healing processes Inductothermy is not performed on patients with a fear of closed spaces

Treatment prognosis and possible complications of external hydrocephalus

Therapy of such a disease is a long and extremely difficult process that does not always end successfully. Often, fluid that puts pressure on the brain leads to irreparable consequences. If the disease was detected at the initial stage of its development, there is a possibility of a complete restoration of all body functions. A successful outcome largely depends on the time of initiation of treatment, the presence of other chronic or acute pathologies in patients. Congenital malformations, infectious diseases, lesions of large blood vessels and nerve trunks significantly complicate the course of external hydrocephalus.

In newborns and children up to a year after surgery, the risk of developing unpleasant consequences is minimized. Doctors attribute this to an extremely high level of metabolic processes.

The patient's lifestyle also plays an important role in recovery and rehabilitation. In my practice, I have encountered a man who developed external hydrocephalus at the age of 39 as a result of a car accident. The brain was subjected to fluid pressure for a long time, as a result of which the victim almost completely lost the ability to move. Throughout the year, he regularly attended massage, physiotherapy, therapeutic exercises and took medication. After a few months, lost sensitivity returned to the limbs, and the victim began to feel stronger. A year later, he took the first awkward steps on his own with the help of a walker, and after 2 years he ran a full-fledged marathon. This case shows how important the right attitude and faith in yourself and your strength are for the patient.

What complications can occur with external hydrocephalus:

1. Lag in psycho-emotional and physical development. Babies who are faced with this disease in the womb, a little behind their peers. This is directly related to the lack of oxygen and nutrients. Such children later begin to hold their heads, crawl, walk and talk. Such a complication can be corrected with the help of sessions with a psychologist and a medical rehabilitation specialist.
2. Paralysis and paresis. The fluid that accumulates on top of the cerebral hemispheres damages some of their areas. This leads to a loss of sensitivity (paresis) in certain areas of the human body. With a more massive lesion, the motor ability of the limbs is lost: a person cannot raise an arm or leg and move them, does not respond to pain or temperature stimuli. Paralysis can affect the facial muscles, causing grimaces. Therapy of this complication is a long process that takes from a year or more. The patient must regularly attend therapeutic exercises and physiotherapy.
3. Accession of a secondary infection. Due to the accumulation of fluid, the meninges become easily permeable to various pathogens. Often they multiply inside the hemispheres, forming purulent cavities - abscesses or phlegmon. Their treatment is carried out only in the conditions of the intensive care unit by surgery, after which the patient needs to take antibacterial agents for a long time.
4. Fatal outcome. The brain contains in its composition many vital centers: vasomotor, respiratory. If for a long time their compression and destruction occurs, death occurs.

Photo gallery: complications of the disease

There are special departments for nursing such babies. With a brain abscess, the structure of the hemispheres is destroyed With paralysis, there is a distortion of the face and deformation of some muscles.

How to protect yourself and your loved ones from the possible development of the disease

External hydrocephalus is a dangerous pathology that, if left untreated, is fatal. That is why neurosurgeons try to protect their patients from adverse consequences and organize annual seminars dedicated to this problem. Over the past few decades, doctors have managed to accumulate enough experience to create individual recommendations for the prevention of external hydrocephalus.

During my studies at the university, I had the opportunity to go on an exchange to one of the leading American hospitals. The practice took place in the department of neurosurgery, where every second patient suffered from external hydrocephalus. Most of the victims are newborns or children under one year old, in whom the pathology manifested itself gradually. Doctors have suggested that many cases of hydrocephalus are the result of an improper lifestyle (alcohol, drugs and illegal medications) of expectant mothers. To this end, it was proposed to conduct a blood test in all pregnant women who were in the local department of obstetrics and gynecology. The study showed that many of them used substances that have a toxic effect on the body of the developing child, resulting in the development of external hydrocephalus. For the purpose of prevention, doctors suggested that women who want to bear a healthy baby take folic acid. It has been scientifically proven that this drug reduces the likelihood of developing malformations of the nervous system by several dozen times. According to screening studies, this method contributed to the birth of children without such brain damage.

Rules for individual prevention of external hydrocephalus:

Brain damage is always a serious threat to the life and health of every person. Unfortunately, external hydrocephalus belongs to the category of those pathologies that are quite difficult to get rid of. If you notice the first signs of the development of such an ailment in yourself, you should not fight it yourself: this can lead to negative consequences. Doctors recommend that you immediately seek qualified help to reduce the likelihood of complications. If you or your loved ones have had a chance to face a similar diagnosis, do not despair: modern medicine can get rid of the manifestations of external hydrocephalus.

Dropsy can affect both infants and the elderly.

The main manifestations of dropsy:

• headaches,
• convulsions,
• irritability and nervousness,
• vomit,
• paralysis.

In newborns, the main symptom of the disease is the rapid growth of the skull. But in general, the symptoms of the disease depend on its form and type.

The most common form of dropsy is external replacement hydrocephalus of the brain. In this case, for a number of reasons, there is a decrease in the volume of the brain, the place of which is filled with cerebrospinal fluid.

The causes of the disease can be: hypertension, atherosclerosis, concussion, dysfunction of the cervical vertebrae.

The main signs of external replacement hydrocephalus are numbness of various parts of the body (most often the limbs), lack of air, pallor, darkening of the eyes, and impaired coordination. But a sick person may not notice its manifestations due to the compensation of brain volume with liquor.

Diagnosis and treatment of substitutive hydrocephalus of the brain

External replacement hydrocephalus is diagnosed by computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), as well as by taking a lumbar puncture and examining the fundus. If, as a result of the examination, the patient receives an MR conclusion, a picture of external replacement hydrocephalus, then he is prescribed treatment. In addition, such studies are carried out as: ultrasound, radiography, angiography, laboratory diagnostics for the presence of rubella, herpes, syphilis, toxoplasmosis and cytomegalovirus viruses.

External replacement hydrocephalus of the brain can have both progressive and permanent course. With a constant flow, the decrease in brain volume does not progress and, accordingly, there is no increase in the volume of cerebrospinal fluid. And if the patient is in a satisfactory condition, then treatment is usually not prescribed, limited to regular examination and observation by specialists.

The progressive nature of the course of the disease can lead to dementia, gait disturbance, severe headaches, urinary incontinence, and even death. Therefore, immediate treatment is required.

A satisfactory result of the treatment of substitutive hydrocephalus of the brain is the reduction and stabilization of intracranial pressure.

If the nature of the course of the disease is constant, then outpatient treatment is carried out. Usually, the complex of prescriptions includes: restorative therapy, salt-coniferous baths, diuretic, anti-inflammatory and desensitizing therapy.

Diacarb (diuretic) and preparations containing potassium (to maintain electrolyte balance) are prescribed for a long period. If the swelling cannot be removed, then a puncture of the cerebrospinal fluid is performed.

With the progressive nature of the course of external replacement hydrocephalus of the brain, they resort to surgical methods of treatment.

Surgical treatments

The most common method of surgical intervention since the fifties of the twentieth century has been bypass surgery, which restores the circulation of the CSF. This is a very effective operation, but it has many complications. After surgery, throughout life, the patient often has to endure surgical interventions due to shunt revision.

Today, endoscopic treatment of hydrocephalus is considered a priority method in neurosurgery. Endoscopy has several advantages over bypass surgery. This is:

Surgical treatment of external replacement hydrocephalus is the only method of dealing with this disease. Drug treatment can only stop the development of the disease.

With timely treatment of external replacement hydrocephalus in a young child, in most cases, stabilization of pathological processes occurs, which contributes to its normal development. And timely treatment of older children and adults leads to their full recovery.