Three Cases of Hydrocephalus Treated with Acetazolamide.
- Author:
Dong Hyun CHO
;
Hyun Mi LEE
;
Chang Soo RA
- Publication Type:Case Report
- Keywords:
Progressive hydrocephalus;
Acetazolamide
- MeSH:
Absorption;
Acetazolamide*;
Carbon;
Central Nervous System;
Choroid Plexus;
Humans;
Hydrocephalus*;
Infant, Newborn;
Ventriculoperitoneal Shunt
- From:Journal of the Korean Society of Neonatology
1997;4(2):280-287
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
Hydrocephalus is a common malformation of the central nervous system and its cause may be either congenital or acquired. The imbalance between CSF formation and absorption, obstruction of CSF pathways, impaired venous absorption, and over secretion of CSF results in excessive accumulation of the fluid in the ventricles, leading to hydrocephalus. Although ventriculo-peritoneal shunt is regarded as the main and definitive therapy for rapidly progressive hydrocephalus, shunts in newborns have a high failure rate and thus there have been a search for alternative non-invasive techniques. Acetazolamide is a carbonic anhy- drase inhibitor, which acts by reducing production of CSF in the choroid plexus. Admini- stration of acetazolamide will decrease the rate of CSF production, preventing progressive ventricular enlargement. We experienced three cases of neonatal hydrocephalus successfully treated by long-term administration of acetazolamide. Brief review and related literatures were also presented.
