Hydrocephalus Caused By Hypertensive Hemorrhage

Bleeding Into The Brain From High Blood Pressure Causing Early Obstructive Hydrocephalus

The ventricular system can be obstructed anywhere along its path.(See Hydrocephalus: Obstructive Type.) The CT Scan shows an enlarged ventricular system. CSF (cerebral spinal fluid) cannot flow past the blood clot so the lateral ventricles are begining to enlarge. High blood pressure (Hypertension) is a common cause of brain hemorrhages. When hemorrhages occur from hypertension, many times the patient will bleed into the ventricular system and/or into the surrounding brain structures. These structures are often the thalamus and basal ganglia as is seen here.

Bleeding Into The Brain From High Blood Pressure Causing Early Obstructive Hydrocephalus

The CSF can flow down its usual pathway, but it is beginning to become obstructed by the hemorrhage. Obstuctive hydrocephalus is developing.