Pathophysiology of Hydrocephalus

Abstract

Hydrocephalus is a pathological entity that has been known since Hippocrates and Galen [33]. It is one of the most common disorders treated by neurosurgeons. The overall incidence and prevalence of the disease can be difficult to estimate, as it can occur as an isolated entity or in association with other neurological disorders. Congenital hydrocephalus is present in 3 of 1000 live births [97]. Aside from the congenital etiology, hydrocephalus can result from a series of neurological conditions such as head trauma, intracranial hemorrhage, tumor, or infection of the central nervous system at any time during life.