Hydrocephalus

Hydrocephalus is an abnormality of brain. It also sometimes called water on the brain. A large collection of fluid occurs with in the ventricles of the brain and compresses the brain tissue. In adults, the compression of the brain against the walls of the skull from the collection of the fluid can cause seizures and even mental retardation. Hydrocephalus is more acutely seen in adults than in children because of brian dysfunction. In children and infants, symptoms include an abnormally large head. Since the bones of the skull are not completely fused, hydrocephalus will cause the child head to expand.

Currently, there is no cure for hydrocephalus. In recent years, within the last century, the treatment for hydrocephalus is having a shunt placed with in the brain. A neurosurgeon places the shunt inside the brain so that some of the fluid can be drained from the ventricles in to the blood or into the abdomen.

In MRI, some shunt systems are MR safe to be imaged. But I do know that there are some shunt system that have a valve that regulates the flow of the fluid from the brain. This valve can be affected by MRI magnetic field. If it is absolutely necessary for patients with this type of shunt to undergo MR imaging, a neurosugeon must be on hand ready to take the patient to surgery to reset the valve once the MR exam is complete.