Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)
Hydrocephalus. Introduction. Hydrocephalus is a condition that occurs when there is too much cerebrospinal fluid in the ventricles (cavities) of the brain. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is produced in the brain, and is needed by the body to protect the brain and spinal cord, and carry away waste from brain cells. It flows continuously through the ventricles of the brain and over the surface of the brain and spinal cord.  Any tear or hole in the membrane that surrounds the brain and spinal cord (dura) can allow the fluid that surrounds those organs to leak. This fluid is called the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). When it leaks out, the pressure around the brain and spinal cord drops. Causes of leakage through the dura include: 1  Certain head, brain, or spinal surgeries. 2  Head injury. 3  Placement of tubes for epidural anesthesia or pain medications. 4  Spinal tap (lumbar puncture) Cerebrospinal fluid is the fluid that bathes the brain and spinal cord. IIH (also known as Pseudotumor Cerebri) is a condition of elevated cerebrospinal fluid pressure in the absence of a mass in the brain. If untreated, IIH can cause visual loss and even blindness.  1 The most common problem is a partial obstruction of the normal flow of cerebrospinal fluid, either from one ventricle to another or from the ventricles to other spaces around the brain. 2  Poor absorption. 3  Less common is a problem with the mechanisms that enable the blood vessels to absorb cerebral spinal fluid. Excess cerebrospinal fluid in the ventricles occurs for one of the following reasons: 1  Obstruction. 2  Cerebrospinal fluid is produced by tissues lining the ventricles of the brain. It flows through the ventricles by way of interconnecting channels and eventually flows into spaces around the brain and spinal column. It's absorbed primarily by blood vessels in tissues near the base of the brain. Excess cerebrospinal fluid in the ventricles occurs for one of the following reasons: 1  Obstruction. 2  The most common problem is a partial obstruction of the normal flow of cerebrospinal fluid, either from one ventricle to another or from the ventricles to other spaces around The brain and spinal cord are surrounded by a clear fluid called cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). This fluid is produced and stored in cavities in the brain called ventricles. It circulates around the brain, moving from ventricle to ventricle. The purposes of the fluid are to cushion and protect the brain and spinal cord, to supply them with nutrients, and to remove some of their waste products. NPH is different than other types of hydrocephalus in that it develops slowly over time. The drainage of CSF is blocked gradually, and the excess fluid builds up slowly. The slow enlargement of the ventricles means that the fluid pressure in the brain may not be as high as in other types of hydrocephalus. However, the enlarged ventricles still press on the brain and can cause symptoms (the term normal pressure is somewhat misleading) Normal pressure hydrocephalus is a brain disorder in which excess cerebrospinal fluid accumulates in the brain's ventricle, causing thinking and reasoning problems, difficulty walking and loss of bladder control. About. NPH is called normal pressure because despite the excess fluid, cerebrospinal fluid pressure as measured during a spinal tap is often normal. As brain ventricles enlarge with the excess cerebrospinal fluid, they can disrupt and damage nearby brain tissue, causing symptoms of NPH. Back to Top Causes. Increased intracranial pressure can be due to a rise in pressure of the cerebrospinal fluid. This is the fluid that surrounds the brain and spinal cord. Increase in intracranial pressure can also be due to a rise in pressure within the brain itself. This can be caused by a mass (such as a tumor), bleeding into the brain or fluid around the brain, or swelling within the brain itself. Normal pressure hydrocephalus occurs when excess cerebrospinal fluid accumulates in the brain's ventricles, which are hollow fluid-filled chambers. NPH is called normal pressure because despite the excess fluid, cerebrospinal fluid pressure as measured during a spinal tap is often normal. As brain ventricles enlarge with the excess cerebrospinal fluid, they can disrupt and damage nearby brain tissue, causing symptoms of NPH.
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spinal fluid which causes the low pressure around the brain