What is aqueductal stenosis?
Aqueductal stenosis is a narrowing of one of the canals in the brain that acts as a pipe for cerebrospinal fluid, fluid that buys the brain and provides protective properties. In a person with aqueductal stenosis, the free flow of fluid is limited and the patient may develop hydrocephalus, the accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid, which over time leads to neurological complications. One of the most common causes of congenital hydrocephalus, where someone was born with fluid in the brain, is aqueductal stenosis. This particular channel for cerebrospinal fluid runs between the third and fourth chamber. When the aqueduct narrows, it reduces the flow of cerebrospinal fluid and the liquid can begin to back up and accumulate. Over time, this can cause swelling that will lead to brain damage by developing pressure on brain cells. In infants, this can cause the skull to distort, because the thrust skull expands to suit excess fluid. In the acquired cases, someone develops a condition such as infection, inflammation or neurologicala disease that damages aqueduct and causes its narrowing. This leads to obstructive hydrocephalus, where cerebrospinal fluid accumulates because it has nowhere to go.
People with aqueductal stenosis usually experience headaches that have deteriorated over time and do not resolve rest or medicines. Nausea and vomiting can also develop due to brain pressure. The changed level of consciousness is another symptom that tends to occur because hydrocephalus persists untreated. In general, whenever people experience a combination of headaches, mood and nausea, it may be a warning sign that there is a neurological problem.
Medical imaging studies of the brain will be used to determine what is happening inside and determining how much damage occurred if existed. The recommended treatment is usually an installation of a short circuit that allows safe drainage of excess cerebrospinal fluid. If it is behindTumor bound, surgery for removal of the tumor and growth removal should be resolved by hydrocephalus. Other treatment options may include radiation treatment of tumors that are not considered operable. These treatments are performed by a neurosurgeon, a doctor who specializes in performing surgery in the brain.