The modern world knows various ailments, many of which can lead to death. The accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid in the brain is often diagnosed not only in young children, but also in representatives of older age groups. This is a very serious pathology, the treatment of which should be started immediately, since otherwise there is a high probability of the development of many dangerous complications. However, many people not only do not know the main clinical manifestations of the disease, but do not even have any idea what constitutes an expansion of the convexital subarachnoid spaces of the brain. Despite the fact that it is diagnosed in only one baby for several thousand, nevertheless, pathology causes many inconveniences in the daily life of a sick child and subsequently leads to various developmental disabilities, because due to poor blood circulation the brain experiences a lack of nutrients, which is negative affects its development and general condition of the body.
Types of pathology
The expansion of the subarachnoid spaces of the brain in adults and children can take a variety of forms, which have certain characteristics, the nature of the course and symptoms. But in modern medicine there are two main types of pathology:
Let's dwell on each of them in more detail and find out what this disease is, what are the consequences of the lack of therapy and what clinical manifestations it is associated with.
Closed hydrocephalus
What you need to know about this? The expansion of the subarachnoid spaces of the brain of this form develops due to the fact that the cerebrospinal fluid ceases to be normally excreted from the cranium into the large circle of blood circulation. Congestion can be observed not only in the openings between the ventricles, but also in the Sylvian aqueduct. As a result of this, stagnant processes begin, leading to pathological changes. It is important to understand that a violation of the normal blood circulation of the brain can be caused by various other health problems, for example, benign or malignant tumors. Regardless of the reasons, it is very important to determine in which department the liquid accumulates. This can be done on the basis of increasing or decreasing the size of certain parts of the brain.
The closed expansion of the subarachnoid convexital space is almost always accompanied by increased blood pressure, since capillaries are compressed, as a result of which the blood ceases to circulate normally. Against this background, patients develop neurological diseases.
Open hydrocephalus
This type of pathology is also called external and is one of the most often diagnosed. Unlike closed, open hydrocephalus proceeds in a lighter form, since with it the liquid does not accumulate, but only its discharge is disturbed. The main reason for the development of pathology is a violation of the balance between the production and excretion of cerebrospinal fluid, malignant tumors, as well as various diseases of infectious etiology. It is worth noting that the expansion of convexital subarachnoid spaces of the brain is also divided into three types depending on the time and method of development of the pathology. These are:
- congenital;
- acquired;
- substitution.
Each of them has certain features, so you need to talk in more detail about each type of disease.
Congenital hydrocephalus
In this case, the expansion of subarachnoid cerebrospinal fluid spaces of the brain develops in the child even when he is still in the womb. This condition is very dangerous, since the pathology continues to develop along with the baby and it is impossible to control it at least somehow. The reasons can be very different:
- protrusion of the wall of the artery of Galen;
- compaction of the walls of the veins;
- basilar impression
- Arnold-Chiari malformation;
- cerebral hemorrhage;
- unsuccessful childbirth during which the baby was injured;
- various infectious diseases carried by the mother during gestation.
It is important to understand that even a slight expansion of the subarachnoid space in unborn children can cause the development of many serious complications. According to medical statistics, most babies are born with various mental disorders and diseases, as well as malformations with which they will have to live until their death.
Acquired hydrocephalus
As it is not difficult to guess from the name, this kind of pathology develops in people, usually adults, due to various unfavorable factors. Most often, the pathology develops after diseases of an infectious or viral origin, for example, inflammation of the brain, hemorrhages, cysts, or various abnormalities and deviations from normal physical development.
Hydrocephalus replacement
What is she like? This expansion of the subarachnoid spaces of the brain in adults is extremely rare, since it does not appear in its pure form. Most often, the pathology is provoked by the death of cells in the cerebral cortex. As the atrophic process proceeds, the soft tissues decrease in size, as a result of which a free space forms in the cranium, which is gradually filled with fluid. However, her abduction is not impaired, so in most cases no therapy is prescribed. In very severe cases, doctors can go for radical methods of treatment, namely surgical intervention, however, this only happens in cases where a real threat to the patientās life is created. Among the main provoking factors, the following can be distinguished:
- age-related changes in the structure of the brain;
- diseases of the vascular system;
- high blood pressure;
- poisoning of the brain with toxic components;
- Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease.
The expansion of subarachnoid spaces of the brain in adults can occur in acute and chronic form. In the first case, the pathology develops very quickly and unpredictably, and is also accompanied by intense and pronounced symptoms. In this case, the clinical picture of the patient is constantly deteriorating. Drug treatment is useless, and the only effective way is surgery. In a chronic form, pathology progresses more slowly, so the personās well-being is not deteriorating so rapidly. Gradually, the patient's intracranial pressure rises and fluid accumulates in one or more parts of the brain. The main symptom of the disease is the psychological discomfort that the patient experiences.
Depending on the area in which cerebrospinal fluid is localized, pathology is divided into the following varieties:
- Outdoor substitution. Fluid accumulates near the external parts of the brain and settles under its shells.
- Inner. The main area of āālocalization is the cisterns and ventricles.
- Mixed. It is a cross between the two types described above.
In addition, the uneven expansion of the subarachnoid spaces of the brain is also classified depending on the severity of the pathology. In a mild form, the patient does not experience any discomfort and does not notice symptoms, and in a severe form, severe pains of a neurotic nature do not give him rest.
The main triggering factors
Let's look at them in more detail. The expansion of subarachnoid spaces of the brain in adults can occur due to a variety of adverse factors. In medicine, a huge number of tests and studies were carried out, however, doctors did not manage to study the etiology of the disease until the end. Among the most common and confirmed causes are the following:
- apoplexy;
- ischemia;
- impaired normal cerebral circulation;
- cancerous tumors;
- alcohol abuse;
- head injuries;
- oxygen starvation;
- various infectious diseases;
- hemorrhage.
Depending on the etiology of the disease, signs of expansion of the subarachnoid space will also differ. In order for the treatment to be as effective as possible, it is necessary not only to make efforts to stimulate the removal of cerebrospinal fluid, but also to eliminate the underlying cause that gave impetus to the development of pathology. Therefore, after the initial examination of the patient, a profiled specialist sends him to a comprehensive examination.
Clinical manifestations
This aspect should be given special attention. The disease in the early stages is very difficult to determine, since it is often asymptomatic. It is important to understand that the signs of expansion of the subarachnoid space of the brain in each person may differ. They depend not only on the form and stage of the pathology, but also on the characteristics of the human body. According to doctors, in most cases, patients face the following symptoms:
- severe migraines;
- nausea and vomiting;
- visual impairment;
- increased drowsiness;
- mixing brain structures.
As medical practice shows, most often the intensity and severity of clinical manifestations increases in the evening, and in the morning the patient feels a noticeable improvement. However, if untreated, the disease will continue to progress. As a person's condition worsens, the risk of him falling into a coma increases.
In the early stages, pathology can be treated, but local expansion of subarachnoid spaces cannot be completely cured due to irreversible changes in the brain. Moreover, the consequences can be very different - from disruption of normal life to death. Therefore, if you notice the first symptoms of hydrocephalus, do not hesitate, but immediately contact the hospital.
Diagnostics
So what is she like? To confirm the presence of pathology, modern laboratory research methods are used. As mentioned earlier, the syndrome is most often diagnosed in young children who are still breast-feeding. At the reception, the doctor performs an initial examination of the patient. But only on the basis of general data does not begin any treatment. This is due to the fact that a moderate expansion of the subarachnoid space of the brain requires an accurate diagnosis. There is no specialized laboratory research designed to detect this disease in world practice. If you suspect an accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid in the parts of the brain, the following is prescribed:
- radiography;
- ultrasonography;
- magnetic resonance imaging.
Very often, various changes in the expansion of the subarachnoid space are observed in patients. To assess their degree and nature, the following additional diagnostic methods can be used:
- puncture;
- polymerase chain reaction.
Both methods are effective and have high accuracy, and also allow you to determine the cause of the development of the pathology, if it is of a viral or infectious nature. However, the most informative study to date is MRI. With it, doctors can get a detailed picture of the patientās health status, which will allow you to best adjust the treatment program.
The main methods of treatment
This aspect is worth dwelling in more detail. If the expansion of the subarachnoid spaces of the brain has not yet managed to develop into an acute or chronic form, then drug therapy is used to combat pathology. The following indicators can serve as a reason for the appointment of radical methods of treatment:
- defects in the development of the structure of the cranium;
- some infectious diseases that occur in acute form;
- oncology;
- hemorrhage;
- focal accumulation of pus;
- spinal arachnoiditis.
If for some reason the surgical intervention cannot be performed, then the doctors create additional ways by which the outflow of cerebrospinal fluid will occur. The treatment program is aimed not only at removing fluid, but also at eliminating the very cause that has become a catalyst for the onset of the pathological process. Therefore, very often, radical methods of treatment are combined with a course of taking medications, which are selected by doctors individually for each patient, depending on his age category, clinical picture and symptoms. In addition, it is required to strictly adhere to a special diet:
- eat foods rich in vitamins;
- minimize the daily intake of sugar and salt;
- completely abandon alcohol;
- drink as much fluid as possible daily.
If the patient turned to the hospital for help not too late, then the chances of a full recovery are quite high. But with a neglected form, as a rule, it is impossible to completely get rid of the consequences.
Conclusion
Hydrocephalus is a serious disease that can occur not only in infants, but also in adults. The syndrome is very dangerous, because it often leads to the development of various irreversible complications. Therefore, even with the slightest suspicion of this ailment, you must immediately make an appointment with a profiled specialist. The successful outcome of treatment largely depends on when it was started, so do not be negligent in your health and trust it to qualified professionals for any problems.