Hydrocephalus

Hydrocephalus is defined as the abnormal buildup of cerebrospinal fluid in the ventricles of the brain. Cerebrospinal fluid is a colorless saline solution that acts as a “cushion” or buffer for the cortex providing a mechanical protection to the brain. It is produced in the choroid plexus of the ventricles at a rate of 500 ml/day and has a continuous circulation. There are about 150 ml of cerebrospinal fluid in the brain.

The cerebrospinal fluid is basically located in two regions of the nervous systems: in the ventricles where it is produced, and in the subarachnoid space (below the arachnoid meninges) where the [Page 873]cerebrospinal fluid is reabsorbed. There is continuous flow through the ventricular system into the subarachnoid space and finally exiting into the venous ...