Hydrocephalus treatment and diagnostics abroad

Hydrocephalus is an excess build-up of cerebrospinal fluid in the ventricles of the brain because its outflow or absorption is blocked. Inside the closed skull this raises intracranial pressure. Congenital hydrocephalus is often linked to a neural tube defect — spina bifida.

Below are pediatric neurosurgery clinics abroad: compare their capabilities, doctors and prices.

Causes of hydrocephalus

• developmental defects: aqueductal stenosis, Arnold–Chiari malformation, spina bifida;
• bleeding in premature babies, infections (meningitis);
• tumours and cysts that block the flow of cerebrospinal fluid;
• head injury; in older adults — normal pressure hydrocephalus.

Symptoms

In babies — a fast-growing head, a bulging fontanelle, vomiting, drowsiness, “sunset” eyes. In older children and adults — headache, nausea, vision problems, trouble walking and memory problems.

Diagnosis

• head circumference and cranial ultrasound — in infants;
• brain MRI or CT — show enlarged ventricles and the cause;
• eye fundus examination.

Hydrocephalus treatment abroad

• Shunt surgery (usually ventriculoperitoneal) — fluid is drained into the abdomen; modern programmable valves let doctors adjust the pressure without another operation.
• Endoscopic third ventriculostomy — a new outflow path without an implant, suitable for obstructive hydrocephalus.
• Treating the cause — removal of a tumour or cyst, decompression for Chiari malformation.
• Follow-up — regular neurosurgeon visits and shunt checks.

Clinics are in the pediatric neurosurgery and neurosurgery sections.

Send a request with MRI or CT scans — Clinics Direct coordinators will get a neurosurgeon's opinion and a cost estimate free of charge.