What is ex vacuo dilation?

Ex vacuo dilatation (or hydrocephalus ex vacuo) means the brain's fluid spaces (ventricles and subarachnoid spaces) enlarge because brain tissue has shrunk or been lost, not from a blockage of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) flow, with CSF pressure usually remaining normal. It's a compensatory process seen with aging, atrophy (like Alzheimer's), strokes, or trauma, where CSF fills the space left by damaged or degenerated brain matter.

What does ex-vacuo dilatation mean?

This pathology is called, known as hydrocephalus ex vacuo, a compensatory enlargement of the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) spaces caused by degenerative encephalic volume loss.

Is ex-vacuo dilatation related to aging?

Hydrocephalus Ex-vacuo

The brain may shrink in older patients or those with Alzheimer's disease, and CSF volume increases to fill the extra space. In these instances, the ventricles are enlarged, but the pressure usually is normal.

What are three signs of hydrocephalus?

Three key signs of hydrocephalus, especially Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus (NPH) in older adults, are gait disturbance (slow, shuffling walk, balance issues), cognitive impairment (memory loss, thinking/reasoning problems), and urinary incontinence (loss of bladder control or urgency). These are sometimes called the "three Ws": "wacky" (cognitive), "wobbly" (gait), and "wet" (urinary). Symptoms vary by age and can include headaches, vomiting, and in infants, a rapidly enlarging head.
 

What brain scans show ex-vacuo dilatation?

Axial T2-weighted magnetic resonance image of the brain in a patient with hydrocephalus ex vacuo. Note the enlarged ventricular system and noticeable sulcal atrophy.

Hydrocephalus - Communicating, Normal Pressure, Ex Vacuo, NonCommunicating (obstructive)

What is the behavior of a person with hydrocephalus?

How hydrocephalus may affect learning and behaviour. Hydrocephalus can affect children's concentration, working memory, understanding of language and their processing of information. All of these, potentially, can have an impact on behaviour. If you can't remember instructions then you won't be able to carry them out.

What diseases can be found in spinal fluid?

Serious bacterial, fungal and viral infections, including meningitis, encephalitis and syphilis. Bleeding around the brain, known as subarachnoid hemorrhage. Certain cancers involving the brain or spinal cord. Certain inflammatory conditions of the nervous system, such as multiple sclerosis and Guillain-Barre syndrome.

How do you know if you have fluid build up in the brain?

Fluid buildup in the brain (hydrocephalus) causes various symptoms like headaches, vision issues (blurred/double vision), balance/coordination problems, nausea/vomiting, and cognitive changes (memory loss, confusion), varying by age, with infants showing rapid head growth and older adults often experiencing classic triad of gait issues, incontinence, and dementia.
 

What is the most common cause of hydrocephalus?

The most common causes of acquired hydrocephalus are:

• Head trauma.
• Stroke.
• Brain or spinal cord tumors.
• Meningitis or other infections of your brain or spinal cord.

What is the life expectancy of a person with hydrocephalus?

Life expectancy with hydrocephalus is often normal with early detection and treatment, but varies greatly; while many with successful shunting live full lives, untreated cases can be fatal, and even treated individuals face potential complications like infections or shunt failures requiring lifelong management, though overall survival rates have improved significantly with modern medicine. Key factors are the cause, severity, early treatment, and prevention of infection. 

What type of doctor treats brain atrophy?

Because the first symptoms are often visual, posterior cortical atrophy can be misdiagnosed as a vision disorder. It's important to see a neurologist or a neuro-ophthalmologist who can correctly diagnose your condition. A neurologist is trained in brain and nervous system conditions.

What medication is used for hydrocephalus?

Medication Summary

Acetazolamide (ACZ) and furosemide (FUR) treat posthemorrhagic hydrocephalus in neonates. Both are diuretics that also appear to decrease secretion of CSF at the level of the choroid plexus. ACZ can be used alone or in conjunction with FUR.

Who just got diagnosed with hydrocephalus?

Music legend Billy Joel recently canceled multiple shows because of his battle with normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH). Because the condition is unfamiliar to many, it's frequently misdiagnosed. NPH is a treatable neurological disorder that often affects older adults.

Is ex-vacuo dilatation common after a stroke?

Ex vacuo hydrocephalus occurs when the ventricular space is enlarged due to loss of brain parenchyma, typically after trauma or stroke.

How fast does hydrocephalus progress in adults?

The symptoms of NPH usually start gradually, developing and worsening over three to six months. The three main symptoms of NPH are known as Hakim's triad. Between 50% and 75% of people with NPH show all three symptoms at the same time.

What is the ex vacuo theory?

The ex vacuo theory, claiming that in cases of middle ear underaeration air enters the middle ear through the Eustachian tube in diminished amounts while oxygen continues to leave it into the blood by diffusion as in normal condition, does not provide a complete explanation for the aeration problems encountered in ...

What causes ex vacuo dilation?

Hydrocephalus ex-vacuo occurs when stroke, degenerative diseases like Alzheimer's disease or other dementias or traumatic injury cause damage to the brain. In these cases, brain tissue may actually shrink.

What are the first symptoms of hydrocephalus?

Hydrocephalus that develops in children or adults

• neck pain.
• feeling sick.
• being sick – this may be worse in the morning.
• sleepiness – can progress to a coma.
• changes in your mental state, such as confusion.
• blurred vision or double vision.
• difficulty walking.

What foods should you avoid if you have hydrocephalus?

Excess high fat, high sugar foods such as crisps, sweets, chocolate, ice-cream, fast foods and fizzy drinks should be limited to once or twice per week.

What are 5 signs your brain is in trouble?

Five key signs your brain might be in trouble include sudden confusion/memory issues, vision/speech changes, severe/persistent headaches, unexplained numbness/weakness, and significant balance/coordination problems, all indicating potential neurological concerns needing medical attention, especially if they appear suddenly or worsen.
 

What drugs can cause hydrocephalus?

Oral2,3 and IV4 opiate intoxications may trigger obstructive hydrocephalus.

How do adults get hydrocephalus?

Hydrocephalus that develops in children and adults (acquired hydrocephalus) is usually the result of an injury or illness. Possible causes of acquired hydrocephalus include: bleeding inside the brain – for example, if blood leaks over the surface of the brain (subarachnoid haemorrhage)

What cancers show up in spinal fluid?

This type of metastasis is known as leptomeningeal disease (LMD), or leptomeningeal carcinomatosis. Since leptomeningeal disease cancer cells float in the cerebrospinal fluid, they can quickly spread throughout the central nervous system.

What are the first signs of a neurological disorder?

Early symptoms of neurological disorders vary but often include headaches, numbness/tingling, muscle weakness, balance/coordination issues, memory/thinking problems, vision changes, speech difficulties (slurred/slow), mood swings, and seizures, with sudden, severe symptoms like one-sided weakness or vision loss requiring immediate emergency care as they can signal a stroke. These signs often affect daily functioning and signal nervous system issues, making prompt medical evaluation crucial for better outcomes. 

What virus attacks the spine?

Viral spinal infections: This type of spine infection is rare but can still pose significant health risks. Viruses like herpes simplex virus (HSV) or varicella-zoster virus (VZV) can lead to conditions such as meningitis or radiculitis affecting the nerves around the spine.