miethke Shuntassistant 2.0 Patientenhandbuch Seite 20

Basics
The human brain is surrounded by a special fluid (scientific term: cerebro-
spinal fluid - CSF). Inside the head are several chambers (scientific term:
ventricles) where CSF is produced. These ventricles are interconnected
with channels and constitute a complex drainage system.
CSF has the task of protecting the brain from mechanical damage, regu-
lating intracranial pressure, maintaining moisture levels of the brain tissue
and transporting metabolic products.
Fresh CSF is produced in the ventricles each day which is absorbed by
the venous blood system. A healthy balance between the production and
absorption of CSF is thus very important.
Hydrocephalus
Hydrocephalus means that the balance between production and absorpti-
on of CSF is impaired. If more CSF is being produced than can be drained,
the ventricles expand and a hydrocephalus develops ("hydro": Greek for
water; "cephale": Greek for head). The ventricles exert pressure on the sur-
rounding brain tissue and can cause neurological damage, some of which
irreversible.
Symptoms
Symptoms depend on the level of impairment and include headache, nau-
sea, vomiting, coordination disorders, sleepiness up to the loss of con-
sciousness. For children under the age of two, head circumference can
increase hugely, because the bones in their skulls have not yet fused.
The causes of hydrocephalus are very varied and occur at any stage in life.
20
// SA 2.0 PATIENT MANUAL