Early symptoms of hydrocephalus in infants

Extracerebral hydrocephalus in infants mainly refers to the increase of cerebrospinal fluid, which will cause the expansion of the subarachnoid space, which is quite harmful to the child. In particular, the head circumference progressively increases, because the fontanelle has not completely closed at this time, and fontanelle dilation is prone to occur. Generally speaking, this situation can be treated surgically. If the symptoms are mild, conservative methods can be used for treatment.

Early symptoms of hydrocephalus in infants

The most important sign of hydrocephalus in infants is the progressive increase in head circumference. At this time, because the cranial sutures have not closed, the fontanelles are enlarged, the tension is high, and the cranial sutures are split. Due to high intracranial pressure, venous return is obstructed and the scalp veins are dilated. When percussing the child's head, there is often a hollow feeling and a low sound, so it is called a broken pot sound (McEwen's sign). The eyeballs rotate downward and often fall below the lower eyelid, which is called the setting sun sign. The above are specific signs of hydrocephalus in infants.

The diagnosis of hydrocephalus in infants is generally not difficult based on their clinical manifestations, rapid growth of the head and their unique morphology.

Treatment principles:

Surgery is the main treatment. Conservative treatment is suitable for patients with mild and stable symptoms, and can also be used as an adjuvant treatment after surgical treatment. Surgical treatment can be divided into three categories:

1. Surgery to eliminate the cause of the disease:

Aqueduct stenosis can be treated with dilation or catheterization. If adhesion occurs at the median foramen, adhesion lysis and incision and shaping can be performed. For foramen magnum deformity, suboccipital and high cervical decompression can be performed. Tumor compression can be treated by tumor resection, etc.

2. Cerebrospinal fluid shunt:

There are two types of shunts: intracranial shunts and extracranial shunts. The latter is particularly suitable for communicating and normal intracranial pressure hydrocephalus. This operation requires special tubing with a pump, and domestically produced shunt tubes are now available.

3. Surgery to reduce cerebrospinal fluid production:

Mainly for choroid plexus resection or electrocautery surgery in the trigone of the lateral ventricle. This procedure is rarely used now that new insights into the cause of hydrocephalus have emerged (mainly malabsorption rather than excessive secretion). The purpose of drug treatment is to temporarily reduce the secretion of cerebrospinal fluid and increase the excretion of water in the body. It has little effect when used alone.