Hydrocephalus and Homoeopathy
Hydrocephalus and Homoeopathy
Hydrocephalus and Homoeopathy
Homoeopathy
Hydrocephalus and
Homoeopathy
Dr. Rajneesh Kumar Sharma MD (Homoeopathy)
Dr. Swati Vishnoi BHMS
Dr. Preetika Lakhera BHMS
Dr. Mohammad Tayyab Daud BHMS
Dr. Mohammad Tayyab Amir BHMS
Dr. Vaishnavi Rathore BHMS
Homoeo Cure Research Institute
NH 74- Moradabad Road
Kashipur (UTTARANCHAL) - INDIA
Ph- 09897618594
E. mail- [email protected]
www.treatmenthomeopathy.com
www.homeopathyworldcommunity.com
Contents
Definition............................................................................................................... 2
Etymology.............................................................................................................. 2
Etiology.................................................................................................................. 2
Pathophysiology..................................................................................................... 3
Production of CSF............................................................................................... 3
Flow of CSF......................................................................................................... 3
Reabsorption of CSF........................................................................................... 4
Functions of CSF................................................................................................. 4
Types..................................................................................................................... 5
Congenital.......................................................................................................... 5
Acquired............................................................................................................. 5
Elevated pressure hydrocephalus.......................................................................5
Communicating or non-obstructive hydrocephalus.........................................5
Non-communicating or obstructive hydrocephalus.........................................5
Normal pressure hydrocephalus.........................................................................6
Infantile hydrocephalus...................................................................................... 6
Post-hemorrhagic hydrocephalus.......................................................................6
Post-infectious hydrocephalus............................................................................ 6
Hydrocephalus associated with MMC..................................................................6
Hydrocephalus associated with brain tumors.....................................................6
Signs and Symptoms............................................................................................. 6
Signs and symptoms of elevated-pressure hydrocephalus.................................6
Signs and symptoms of normal-pressure hydrocephalus....................................7
Cognition............................................................................................................ 7
Attention............................................................................................................. 7
Motor function.................................................................................................... 7
Epilepsy.............................................................................................................. 7
Vision.................................................................................................................. 7
Other associated problems.................................................................................8
Special problems in children with MMC..............................................................8
Diagnosis............................................................................................................... 8
Ultrasonography................................................................................................. 8
Computed tomography (CT)...............................................................................8
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)....................................................................8
Treatment.............................................................................................................. 9
CSF Shunt........................................................................................................... 9
Ventriculostomy.................................................................................................. 9
Homoeopathic remedies for Hydrocephalus.......................................................9
Short repertory of Hydrocephalus.....................................................................10
Bibliography......................................................................................................... 11
Definition
Hydrocephalus is a clinical entity in which a disturbance in the circulation of the
cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) (Psora) causes the accumulation of intraventricular CSF,
resulting in progressive ventricular dilation, characterized by increased
intracranial pressure, increased CSF volume and the dilation of the CSF spaces
(Sycosis).
Etymology
Greek hudro- water + kephal head = hudrokephalon
Late 17th century- modern Latin- Hydrocephalus
Hippocrates (466-377BC)- first described hydrocephalus
Early and medieval physicians- believed that the disease was caused by
the extra cerebral accumulation of water
Etiology
Hydrocephalus has a variety of causes including:
Pathophysiology
Mechanism of CSF production and its flow runs as below-
Production of CSF
CSF is produced by the epidermal cells in choroid plexus of the lateral,
third and fourth ventricles
Rate of CSF production is approximately 10 ml per hour or 200-250 ml a
day in a small child, and in adolescents- about 20 ml an hour or 400-500
ml per day
The total CSF volume depends on the age of the person and is about 5 ml
in a newborn and reaches the adult volume of 80-150 ml at the age of
about five years
Flow of CSF
The CSF flows through the third ventricle and the cerebral aqueduct to the
fourth ventricle and through the foramen of Magendie and the lateral
foramina of Luschka into the subarachnoid space
The narrowest passage in the ventricular system is the cerebral aqueduct
or the aqueduct of Sylvius
The CSF flows around the tentorium
Reabsorption of CSF
CSF is re-absorbed into the venous system through arachnoid villi into the
sagittal sinus
Some of it flows down towards the lumbar subarachnoid space and re-
absorbed from the spinal canal as well
Functions of CSF
The CSF protects the brain and spinal cord, regulates the intracranial
pressure (ICP) within physiological limits and regulates the extracellular
environment in the brain
The physiological mechanism underlying hydrocephalus is-
The ventricular expansion displaces the surface of the brain and compresses the
cortical veins, leading to venous congestion and a subsequent increase in ICP.
The expansion of the ventricles also affects the surrounding brain structures and
the increase in ICP may cause cerebral edema affecting the white matter and
eventually also the grey matter.
Types
Hydrocephalus can be classified into two forms-
Congenital
An obstruction of the cerebral aqueduct (aqueductal stenosis) is the most
frequent cause of congenital hydrocephalus. (Syphilis)
Acquired
Acquired hydrocephalus may result from spina bifida, intraventricular
hemorrhage, meningitis, head trauma, tumors, and cysts. (Psora/ Syphilis/
Sycosis)
Infantile hydrocephalus
This type of hydrocephalus is not associated with myelomeningocele (MMC) or
with malignant tumors and developing during the first year of life. Different
malformations such as Dandy-Walker, X-linked hydrocephalus, arachnoidal cysts
and aqueductal stenosis belong to this group. (Psora/ Syphilis/ Sycosis)
Post-hemorrhagic hydrocephalus
Arachnoiditis is caused by the blood and hemorrhagic debris in the ventricles
that most often obliterates the posterior fossa or the aqueduct of Sylvius. (Psora/
Sycosis)
Post-infectious hydrocephalus
Obstructions in various parts of the CSF pathways by infections and scarring may
result in increased intracranial pressure and hydrocephalus. (Psora/ Syphilis/
Sycosis)
Cognition
The intellectual performance is affected even if the hydrocephalus is
treated and the overall IQ is in the low-average range or below
The verbal intelligence is often better preserved than the non-verbal
There may be problems with visual perception, visuo-construction, visuo-
orientation and recognition of faces
Executive functions such as planning, organization and using strategies
may also be impaired
Attention
Early-onset hydrocephalus is frequently associated with behavioral
problems
Autism disorders are common
Some children with hydrocephalus had deficits in selective and focused
attention
Children with MMC have been found to be more easily distracted and
inattentive than controls
Motor function
Motor impairments are common
Musculoskeletal dysfunction is common even in post-surgical cases
The etiology and gestational age at birth have an important effect on the
severity of the motor disability.
Many children born preterm with hydrocephalus after a perinatal cerebral
hemorrhage develop cerebral palsy
In children with MMC, the motor function is dependent on the spinal lesion
and about half these children learn to walk, with or without aid
Epilepsy
Children with hydrocephalus often have a convulsive disorder
The etiology of the hydrocephalus and the presence of neuroradiological
abnormalities in the brain parenchyma have an important impact on the
risk of developing epilepsy
In some studies, the presence of a shunt appears to increase the risk of
developing seizures
Most of the seizures are of the partial type and involvement of the side
contralateral to the shunt placement
Vision
The dilation of the ventricles and the increase in ICP can cause damage to
the occulomotor pathways, the optic nerves and the optic radiation
This is the cause why patients of hydrocephalus may have visual
impairments
The posterior visual pathways are close to the lateral ventricles and may
be damaged by the dilation of the ventricles
Optic atrophy can result from the traction or compression of the optic
nerve
Other visual impairments, such as reduced visual acuity, visual field
defects and strabismus, visual perceptual problems have been described
in several studies
Diagnosis
The primary diagnosis is made by looking at size of head and by case taking
thoroughly. The hydrocephalus is easy to diagnose.
Its diagnosis is based on the analysis of the size of the ventricles. The ventricles
can also be enlarged due to atrophy of the brain and this condition has to be
distinguished from hydrocephalus.
In infants with open sutures, the diagnosis can be made clinically by measuring
an increase in head circumference. In older children with closed sutures, there is
a compression of the peripheral CSF spaces, which can be confirmed by
neuroimaging.
Ultrasonography
This is the screening procedure in small children when the anterior fontanel is
still open. It can also be useful for follow-up after treatment to check the
ventricular size.
Treatment
CSF Shunt
The insertion of a CSF shunt is a common procedure. The equipment that is used
is a proximal catheter, which usually has several openings. The catheter is
placed in the ventricle that is going to be drained. Shunts often fail because the
catheter is occluded by some tissue.
Ventriculostomy
The principle is to perform a stoma in the bottom of the third ventricle and from
there lead the CSF to the subarachnoid spaces where it can be re-absorbed.
abrot. acon. agar. am-c. APIS apoc. Arg-n. Arn. ars-i. Ars. Art-v. atro-s. aur-ar. aur-
s. Aur. Bac. bar-c. bell. Bism. Bry. cadm-s. calc-i. Calc-p. calc-sil. CALC. CAMPH.
canth. Carb-ac. caust. Chin. chinin-s. Cina Clem. coloc. Con. crot-h. cupr-act.
cupr. cypr. cyt-l. Dig. ferr-i. Ferr. galv. gels. Grat. hed. Hell. Hyos. ign. indg. Iod.
iodof. Ip. kali-br. Kali-i. kali-p. lach. LYC. mag-m. Merc. Nat-m. nux-v. oeno. Op. ph-
ac. Phos. plat. podo. Puls. rhus-t. samb. sep. SIL. sol-ni. spig. squil. Stram. Sulph.
thuj. toxo-g. tub. verat-v. Verat. viol-t. zinc-br. Zinc-m. Zinc.
MIND - SHRIEKING - hydrocephalus, in APIS Cina Dig. kali-i. Lyc. merc. Zinc.
MIND - STUPOR - hydrocephalus, in APIS Apoc. Clem. Hell. Hyos. Lyc. Nat-m.
MIND - UNCONSCIOUSNESS - hydrocephalus, in APIS apoc. art-v. Clem. Grat. Hell.
Hyos. Lyc. Nat-m.
RECTUM - DIARRHEA - hydrocephalus acutus, during Apis bell. Calc. Carb-ac.
Hell. Zinc.
URINE - MILKY - hydrocephalus; in - little but frequent discharges of milky urine;
with very - unconsciousness and delirium; with APIS
URINE - MILKY - hydrocephalus; in Apis
Bibliography
gait activity in most forms of hydrocephalus. The central white matter yields to
pressure, while the cortical gray matter...
Encyclopedia Homoeopathica
Radar 10