Approximately four thousand infants born annually in the United States are affected with hydrocephalus. Another estimated 6000 children develop hydrocephalus during the first two years of life from complications of other conditions. Adults may also develop hydrocephalus due to head injuries, spinal meningitis, or as a result of certain birth defects. Two types of hydrocephalus exist, communicating and non communicating.
Non communicating is caused by an obstruction in the ventricular system.
Both communicating and non communicating hydrocephalus can be subdivided into congenital and acquired types. The congenital causes of non communicating are obstructions of the aqueduct of Sylvius due to stenosis or narrowing, and obstructions of the foramina of Luschka and Magendie due to masses or in utero infections. The acquired causes of communicating hydrocephalus are subdural hemorrahages, masses, and infections like meningitis and trauma. The acquired cause of non communicating is stenosis of the aqueduct of Sylvuis secondary to infections, masses and traumas. Approximately four thousand infants born annually in the United States are affected with hydrocephalus.