What is hydrocephalus ex-vacuo?
Hydrocephalus ex-vacuo occurs when a stroke or injury damages the brain and brain matter actually shrinks. The brain may shrink in older patients or those with Alzheimer’s disease, and CSF volume increases to fill the extra space. In these instances, the ventricles are enlarged, but the pressure usually is normal.
What does hydrocephalus mean in medical terms?
Overview. Hydrocephalus is the buildup of fluid in the cavities (ventricles) deep within the brain. The excess fluid increases the size of the ventricles and puts pressure on the brain. Cerebrospinal fluid normally flows through the ventricles and bathes the brain and spinal column.
Is hydrocephalus ex-vacuo communicating?
It can be classified as a communicating hydrocephalus without obstruction to CSF absorption, although we usually do not refer to them as a hydrocephalus.
What is the abbreviation for hydrocephalus?
Normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH) is a condition that happens when you have too much of a certain kind of fluid in parts of your brain. Your brain and spinal cord are surrounded by a clear liquid called cerebrospinal fluid (CSF).
What is meant by ex Vacuo?
Abstract. CSF ex vacuo is a proposed designation for abnormal collections of CSF replacing brain tissue which is absent or has disappeared as a result of maldevelopment, injury, infection, vascular disturbances, brain atrophy, etc.
How is hydrocephalus ex vacuo treated?
Treatment of hydrocephalus involves the insertion of a shunt to let the excess fluid exit and relieve the pressure on the brain. The shunt is a flexible, plastic tube with a one-way valve.
What causes NPH?
What causes normal pressure hydrocephalus? The cause of excess fluid in the ventricles of the brain may be due to injury, bleeding, infection, brain tumor, or surgery on the brain. However, the cause is often not known. When excess fluid builds up in the ventricles, they enlarge and press against nearby brain tissue.
What is ex vacuo mean?
What is NPH medical condition?
Normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH) is a brain disorder in which excess cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) accumulates in the brain’s ventricles, causing thinking and reasoning problems, difficulty walking, and loss of bladder control. Diagnosis. Prevalence. Outcomes.
What is fluid on the brain called?
However, the brain is not surrounded by water but by a fluid called cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). CSF has 3 important functions: it protects the brain from damage.
How is pneumothorax ex vacuo treated?
Treatment and prognosis The pneumothorax spontaneously resolves when the bronchial obstruction is relieved and the lobe re-expands. The noncompliant lung is usually unresponsive to chest drain insertion and so it should not be used in asymptomatic patients unless there is a concern for trapped lung 5,7,8.
See additional information. Hydrocephalus ex-vacuo: What is termed ” hydrocephalus ex-vacuo” occurs when there is damage to the brain caused by stroke or injury, and there may be an actual shrinkage of brain substance. Although there is more CSF than usual, the CSF pressure itself is normal in hydrocephalus ex-vacuo.
Is there more CSF in hydrocephalus ex-vacuo?
Although there is more CSF than usual, the CSF pressure itself is normal in hydrocephalus ex-vacuo. Hydrocephalus is an abnormal buildup of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in the ventricles of the brain. The fluid is most often under increased pressure and that pressure can compress and damage the brain.
Is hydrocephalus a misnomer?
A misnomer referring to asymptomatic ventricular enlargement caused by generalised loss of cerebral tissue, from severe head injury, infarction or cerebral hypoxia. Segen’s Medical Dictionary. © 2012 Farlex, Inc. All rights reserved. Hydrocephalus due to loss or atrophy of brain tissue; less commonly associated with raised intracranial pressure.
What is acquired hydrocephalus?
Acquired hydrocephalus develops at the time of birth or at some point afterward. This type of hydrocephalus can affect individuals of all ages and may be caused by injury or disease. Hydrocephalus may also be communicating or non-communicating.