obstructive hydrocephalus

hydrocephalus /hy·dro·ceph·a·lus/ (-sef´ah-lus) a congenital or acquired condition marked by dilatation of the cerebral ventricles, usually occurring secondarily to obstruction of the cerebrospinal fluid pathways, and accompanied by an accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid within the skull; typically, there is enlargement of the head, prominence of the forehead, brain atrophy, mental deterioration, and convulsions.hydrocephal´ic

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communicating hydrocephalus  that in which there is free access of fluid between the ventricles of the brain and the spinal canal.

noncommunicating hydrocephalus  obstructive h.

normal-pressure hydrocephalus , normal-pressure occult hydrocephalus dementia, ataxia, and urinary incontinence with enlarged ventricles associated with inadequacy of the subarachnoid spaces, but with normal cerebrospinal fluid pressure.

obstructive hydrocephalus  that due to obstruction of the flow of cerebrospinal fluid within the brain ventricles or through their exit foramina.

otitic hydrocephalus  that caused by spread of inflammation of otitis media to the cranial cavity.

posthemorrhagic hydrocephalus  hydrocephalus in an infant following intracranial hemorrhage that has distended the ventricles and obstructed normal pathways for cerebrospinal fluid.

hydrocephalus ex va´cuo  compensatory replacement by cerebrospinal fluid of the volume of tissue lost in atrophy of the brain.

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obstructive hydrocephalus

n.

See noncommunicating hydrocephalus.

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obstructive hydrocephalus

Noncommunicating hydrocephalus Pediatrics Hydrocephalus due to interference with the flow of CSF, resulting in enlarged ventricles; OH may be due to congenital aqueductal stenosis or atresia–eg, Dandy-Walker syndrome, a complication of intracranial infection, violent birth trauma or inherited in an X-R fashion. Cf Communicating hydrocephalus.