Hydrocephalus

Hydrocephalus is an abnormal accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) within cavities in the brain called ventricles. It typically causes increased pressure inside the skull. Some people may have headaches, double vision, poor balance, urinary incontinence, personality changes, or mental impairment. Other symptoms may include vomiting, sleepiness, seizures, and downward pointing of the eyes.

Hydrocephalus is typically treated by the surgical placement of a shunt system. Before getting a v/p shunt, Kiara had an alternate procedure called a Endoscopic Third Ventriculostomy (ETV) to try to combat the hydrocephalus. It worked well and doctors were fairly confident that there was no increased ICP in her brain, but because of increased vision loss, we opted for a v/p shunt to make sure.

Here is a great video that explains how it works: