Patient's question:
In April 2014, the patient began experiencing general weakness. They were hospitalized and treated in the neurology department. An MRI of the head revealed hydrocephalus. The patient had a history of pulmonary tuberculosis, and it was considered possible that they might have tuberculous meningitis. In September 2014, the patient started taking isoniazid, rifampicin, and pyrazinamide, which they have been taking ever since. At that time, a lumbar puncture showed a pressure of 280 mmH2O and a protein level of 2.43 g/L. On May 18 of this year, another lumbar puncture showed a pressure of 180 mmH2O and a protein level of 0.75 g/L. The hospital stated that shunting surgery is not possible.Doctor's answer:
Hydrocephalus is caused by certain reasons leading to the obstruction or poor circulation of cerebrospinal fluid in the brain. To rule out hydrocephalus caused by a brain mass, if it is not caused by a brain mass, there are generally two options: 1. For patients with mild hydrocephalus, oral medication can be used to control it; 2. If the hydrocephalus is severe, it can be treated with a ventriculoperitoneal shunt surgery in the neurosurgery department of the hospital. The prerequisite is for you to go to the hospital for a thorough examination to determine which category you fall into.