Patient's question:
The surgery was performed at Tian Tan Hospital on September 14th. Now, eating is going well, and bowel and bladder functions are normal. There is still some accumulation of fluid.Doctor's answer:
Analysis of the Condition: Surgical treatment can be considered for progressive hydrocephalus with significant cranial enlargement and cerebral cortex thickness less than 1 cm. The surgery can be categorized into the following types:A: Surgery to reduce cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) secretion: such as cauterization after choroid plexus resection, which is now rarely used.
B: Surgery to relieve the cause of ventricular obstruction: such as aqueductoplasty or dilation, foramen of Monro (foramen of Monro trephination), and resection of intracranial space-occupying lesions.
C: Cerebrospinal fluid shunt surgery: The goal is to establish a CSF circulation pathway and alleviate CSF accumulation, applicable to both communicating and non-communicating hydrocephalus. Common shunt procedures include intracranial shunts and extracranial shunts. Intracranial shunts include ventriculocisterna magna (VCM) drainage and third ventriculostomy. Extracranial shunts include ventriculocardiac shunts, ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunts, and lateral ventriculoperitoneal, superior sagittal sinus, cardiac, and external jugular vein shunts. Note that there is a risk of infection.
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Treatment of Hydrocephalus: In TCM, the formation of hydrocephalus is often attributed to congenital deficiency, qi and blood deficiency, or external pathogens obstructing meridians, leading to water dampness stagnation. Additionally, head trauma and blood stasis can also cause this condition. The disease locus is in the brain marrow, involving meridians, zang-fu organs, and is classified as a syndrome of root deficiency and superficial excess. Spleen and kidney deficiency is the root, while phlegm and blood stasis obstructing meridians and internal water dampness stagnation are the superficial manifestations. Therefore, clinical treatment should be based on the balance between root and superficial issues, with the principle of addressing the superficial manifestation first by eliminating dampness and promoting diuresis, and then treating the root by warming and tonifying the spleen and kidneys. Specific subtyping treatment methods are omitted.
Other treatments include topical applications such as Fengxi Powder and modified Tianling Powder applied to cranial fissure sites, as well as acupoint topical applications. Acupuncture and moxibustion therapy, as well as Tuina (massage) therapy, are also used. While Chinese medicine, acupuncture, and topical applications show some efficacy in treating hydrocephalus, most reports are scattered and lack depth and breadth, with treatment effects not yet reaching a breakthrough level.
Medical Advice: It is recommended to undergo medical examination and follow the prescribed medication to achieve early recovery.