Is it common to have a third vetriculostomy for large ventricles due to Hydrocephalus?
It is not common that any form of treatment is needed for hydrocephalus, but occasionally it is really necessary. The indications for treatment are when there are symptoms of acute hydrocephalus, which include headache ( hard to be certain in a young baby), vomiting and an abnormal eye movement known as ‘sun setting’, when the eyes look down. Third ventriculostomy is a treatment which leaves the baby without any tubing, which can be a source of complication and future problems such as infection. Many children with VGM have big ventricles, but this is not because they are under increased and dangerous pressure and it can be harmful to treat children when the pressure is normal. Therefore it is really important to know what the indication is. It is possible to measure intracranial pressure in a very simple way by measuring the pressure through the ears. Not all centres will have this facility so it may take some research to find it. If the pressure is not so elevated and the baby is well
