#hydrocephalous

Been busy taking care of these mostly blind, tumbly Hyrdo kittens for the past week, sorry for lack of Hobbes photos! New stuff will be up soon after I recuperate.

Normal Cerebral Ventricle Functioning:

Cerebral ventricles are the cavities deep in the brain that produce and contain cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) which protects the brain tissue, removes waste, and also is involved in endocrine function. 

CSF acts as a cushion between the brain and skull in the event of trauma. Toxic metabolites, drugs and substances are moved through the CSF to the blood and excreted. Aside from transporting waste, CSF transports hormones related to metabolism, reproduction, sexual function and GFH. The CSF also allows for buoyancy, in other words it decreased the weight of the brain therefore minimizing its pressure.

HYDROCEPHALUS SCAN VS. NORMAL SCAN 

HYDROCEPHALOUS : overproduction of CSF, lack of absorption or ventricular obstruction preventing removal of CSF leads to increased intracranial pressure and enlargement of the ventricles. 

Classifications: 

Communicating/ Non communicating:

Communicating: impaired absorption of the fluid 

Non communicating: obstruction prevents the fluid from flowing out of ventricles; generally between ventricles and spinal cord (not usually mechanical; typically because the "tube" between the spinal cord and ventricle shrinks" 

Congenital/ Acquired:

Congential: at birth (but not genetic) 

Acquired: after birth generally r/t trauma that prevents brain from reabsorbing, releasing or causes over production

Causes: 

Intraventricular hemorrhage

Neural tube defect (congenital) 

Brain tumor

Meningitis

Traumatic injury

CSF flow obstruction 

Impaired CSF absorption 

Clinical Manifestations: 

In congenital cases: enlarged head with bulging fontanels; scalp vein distention; difficulty feeding; high shrill cry (can expand) 

Older children/adults: impaired motor and cognitive function (no growth to relieve pressure) 

Signs of increased intracranial pressure: 

LOW PULSE HIGH TEMPERATURE LOW RESPIRATIONS INCREASED BLOOD PRESSURE