Neuroendoscopy for hydrocephalus in children

  Hydrocephalus in children has a high incidence and is the most common brain disorder in childhood, mainly manifested by abnormal enlargement of the skull, widening of fontanelle and cranial sutures, and delayed intellectual and motor development in children. The etiology is mainly congenital, followed by various causes of obstruction of cerebrospinal fluid circulation. The diagnosis is based on the enlargement of the skull, symptoms of increased intracranial pressure (e.g., full fontanelle without pulsation and frequent vomiting) and imaging tests, mainly cranial CT and MRI.  If hydrocephalus is suspected by ultrasound during pregnancy, embryonic MRI can be performed to clarify the diagnosis. Before treatment, firstly, it should be clear that the earlier the treatment of hydrocephalus in children, the better the effect; secondly, it should be clear which type of hydrocephalus it is. Once the type of hydrocephalus is determined, the treatment is basically fixed. In recent years, we have applied magnetic resonance cerebrospinal fluid flow imaging (cerebrospinal fluid film technology) combined with cerebral pool imaging methods can be distinguished from the type of hydrocephalus.  For traffic hydrocephalus, the traditional method of cerebrospinal fluid shunt surgery, mainly ventriculoperitoneal shunt, should be used; for clear obstructive hydrocephalus, neuroendoscopic third ventriculostomy is the preferred method; once this method is effective, it avoids the pain of carrying a shunt tube for life in children. Endoscopic third ventriculostomy or shunt surgery can also be chosen in cases of traffic hydrocephalus depending on the specific situation. Our hospital has the most advanced ventriculoscopic system in the world, and our pediatric neurosurgeons use the superb technology of ventriculoscopy to provide safe and effective first-class services for children with hydrocephalus.