The treatment of hydrocephalus is comprehensive and should be judged according to the specific condition, which is further divided into surgical treatment and non-surgical treatment. 1.Non-surgical treatment is only applicable to the lightest hydrocephalus or hydrocephalus at rest, which is done by limiting saline intake and applying diuretics or dehydrating agents, such as acetazolamide, dihydroketorol, tachyphylaxis, mannitol, etc. Repeated punctures to release fluid via the anterior chimney or lumbar spine in young children. The above methods can only provide temporary relief of symptoms. 2.Surgical therapy Surgical treatment is still the most important method for hydrocephalus so far. For severe hydrocephalus, low intelligence, blindness, paralysis, and obvious atrophy of brain parenchyma, cortical thickness less than 1 cm, are not suitable for surgery. Surgical treatment is available for those with progressive hydrocephalus, significantly enlarged skull, and cerebral cortex thickness more than 1 cm. (1) Surgery to reduce cerebrospinal fluid secretion Cauterization after choroid plexus resection, which is now used sparingly. (2) Surgery to relieve the etiology of ventricular obstruction such as cerebral aqueduct formation or dilation, median foraminotomy and removal of intracranial occupying lesions. (3) Cerebrospinal fluid shunt surgery
The purpose of surgery is to establish the cerebrospinal fluid circulation pathway and release the accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid. Commonly used shunts include lateral ventricular-ventricular shunt, third ventriculostomy, lateral ventricular-cerebellar medullary pool shunt, superior sagittal sinus, atrium, external jugular vein shunt, etc. 3.Minimally invasive shunt The most popular treatment for hydrocephalus is ventriculo-abdominal shunt. Nowadays, laparoscopic surgery is used to place the abdominal end of the shunt, also called minimally invasive shunt. The quality of life can be greatly improved and enhanced. Diet therapy The diet of patients with acute hydrocephalus is an extremely important part of the acute period to ensure nutrition supply, maintain water-electrolyte balance, and do a good job of diet care. Acute hydrocephalus patients who cannot eat when their condition is stable are supplemented with nutrition and water by intravenous infusion. The daily intake should not be too much, generally around 2000ml. In milder cases, those who are more conscious and have no swallowing disorder can be helped to eat liquid or semi-liquid. The food should be light, small and frequent, and the temperature should not be too cold or too hot.