INTRODUCTION
Hydrocephalus is a disorder in which an excessive amount of cerebrospinal fluid accumulates within the cerebral ventricles and/or subarachnoid spaces, resulting in ventricular dilation and often with increased intracranial pressure (ICP) [1,2].
The management and prognosis of hydrocephalus in children will be reviewed here. The pathophysiology, etiology, clinical features, and diagnosis of hydrocephalus are discussed separately. (See "Hydrocephalus in children: Physiology, pathogenesis, and etiology" and "Hydrocephalus in children: Clinical features and diagnosis".)
This topic will focus on the management and prognosis of obstructive and communicating hydrocephalus, which are almost always associated with increased ICP. Normal pressure hydrocephalus, a condition seen predominantly in adults in which the cerebral ventricles are pathologically enlarged, but the ICP is not elevated, is discussed separately. (See "Normal pressure hydrocephalus".)
The prevention and initial management of hydrocephalus associated with intraventricular hemorrhage in preterm neonates is also discussed in greater detail separately. (See "Germinal matrix and intraventricular hemorrhage (GMH-IVH) in the newborn: Management and outcome".)
TERMINOLOGY
The following terms are used this topic:
