Clinical Features Of Hydrocephalus: Children Vs Adults

Abstract

Hydrocephalus is defined as an excessive accumulation of CSF within the ventricular system. It can be congenital or acquired and can present at any age. The clinical presentation depends upon the age of the patient, the severity of the underlying cause and the rapidity of progression of hydrocephalus. In infants, hydrocephalus presents as morphological (structural) changes as the predominant feature while in older children and adults, functional disturbances are predominant due to raised ICP. In this prospective study, 100 consecutive patients of all age groups with all types of hydrocephalus are included. The results showed that 80 % patients were children up-to the age of 14 years (group 1) and the other 20 % were adults (group 2) . In the first group, the main clinical features were: macrocephaly (81.3 %), vomiting (18.8 %) , fits (13.8 %) and headache (11.3 %) . Only 5 % patients in this group were found to have papilloedema .In the second group of patients aged more than 14 years , the main clinical features were : headache (90 %) , vomiting (80 %) , deterioration of conscious level (30 %) and deterioration of vision (15 %) . Papilloedema was found in 70 % of these patients. Results are discussed in detail and compared with other studies.