Normal Pressure 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). It’s made and stored in cavities in your brain called ventricles. It circulates around your brain, moving from ventricle to ventricle. It cushions and protects the brain and spinal cord, supplies them with nutrients, and removes some of their waste products. Extra fluid usually drains away from the brain and is absorbed by veins at the top of the brain.

Hydrocephalus happens when the natural system for draining and absorbing extra CSF doesn’t work right. The ventricles enlarge to accommodate the extra fluid and then press on different parts of the brain, causing a number of different symptoms. Hydrocephalus has many different causes. Some people are born with the condition, while others develop it during their lives

Description

This procedure is done in the operating room under general anesthesia. It takes about 1 1 /2 hours. A tube (catheter) is passed from the cavities of the head to the abdomen to drain the excess cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). A pressure valve and an anti-siphon device ensure that just the right amount of fluid is drained.