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Hidrocefalia normotensiva - Overview

Nombres alternativos

Hidrocefalia en adultos; Hidrocefalia comunicante; Hidrocefalia idiopática; Hidrocefalia obstructiva extraventricular; Hidrocefalia normotensa

Definición:

La hidrocefalia se refiere a la acumulación de líquido dentro del cráneo, ocasionando hinchazón cerebral. Hidrocefalia significa "agua en el cerebro".

La hidrocefalia normotensiva (HNT) es un aumento en el líquido cefalorraquídeo (LCR) en el cerebro que afecta el funcionamiento cerebral. Sin embargo, la presión del líquido por lo regular es normal.

Causas, incidencia y factores de riesgo:

La hidrocefalia normotensiva (HNT) es una forma de hidrocefalia, lo que significa que hay demasiado líquido comprimiendo este órgano.

Esta afección puede ocurrir sin una causa conocida o puede ser causada por cualquier afección que obstruya el flujo del líquido cefalorraquídeo (LCR). Las cámaras llenas de líquido (ventrículos) del cerebro se agrandan para acomodar el gran volumen del líquido cefalorraquídeo. Dichas cámaras presionan y dañan o destruyen el tejido cerebral.

Los factores de riesgo abarcan:

El líquido cefalorraquídeo se produce en cantidades normales en estas afecciones, pero no puede ser reabsorbido de manera normal.

Se piensa que la hidrocefalia normotensiva representa aproximadamente el 5% de todas las demencias.

  • Reviewed last on: 3/9/2010
  • Daniel B. Hoch, PhD, MD, Assistant Professor of Neurology, Harvard Medical School, Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

Referencias

Rosenberg GA. Brain edema and disorders of cerebrospinal fluid circulation. In: Bradley WG, Daroff RB, Fenichel GM, Jankovic J, eds. Neurology in Clinical Practice. 5th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Butterworth-Heinemann; 2008:chap 63.

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