Hydrocephalus Care in Grand Rapids, Michigan

Hydrocephalus is a neurological condition that occurs when cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) builds up in the brain’s cavities (ventricles), causing them to enlarge and increasing pressure inside the skull. Without treatment, hydrocephalus can lead to brain damage or death, but with timely diagnosis and neurosurgical care—available at major Grand Rapids hospitals such as Corewell Health (formerly Spectrum Health) and Trinity Health Grand Rapids—many people can live active, fulfilling lives.

What Is Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF)?

Cerebrospinal fluid is a clear, watery fluid produced in the brain’s ventricles. It:

  • Circulates through the brain’s ventricles
  • Flows around the brain and spinal cord in the subarachnoid space
  • Is absorbed back into the bloodstream near the top of the skull

CSF helps:

  • Cushion and protect the brain and spinal cord
  • Deliver nutrients
  • Remove waste products

Under normal conditions, the body maintains a constant balance of CSF production, flow, and absorption. Hydrocephalus develops when this balance is disrupted—by overproduction, blockage of flow, or problems with absorption.

Types of Hydrocephalus

Hydrocephalus is generally grouped into three main categories:

Congenital Hydrocephalus

  • Present at birth
  • Often related to brain development problems or genetic conditions
  • May be associated with other birth defects such as spina bifida or Dandy–Walker syndrome
  • Can be detected during pregnancy or shortly after birth

Acquired Hydrocephalus

Develops after birth and can occur at any age. Common causes include:

  • Brain tumors
  • Brain infections (such as meningitis)
  • Bleeding in or around the brain (for example, after a head injury or stroke)
  • Complications from previous brain surgery

These problems can block the normal movement or absorption of CSF.

Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus (NPH)

  • Most commonly affects older adults
  • CSF builds up and the ventricles enlarge, but pressure readings may appear “normal”
  • The exact cause is often unknown, but it may follow head injury, bleeding, or infection
  • Important in West Michigan’s aging population, as it can mimic other conditions like dementia or Parkinson’s disease

Symptoms of Hydrocephalus

Hydrocephalus can sometimes be asymptomatic (no noticeable symptoms), especially in mild or slowly developing cases. When symptoms do occur, they depend on age and how quickly the condition develops.

In Infants

  • Enlarged head or rapidly increasing head size
  • Bulging or tense soft spot (fontanelle) on top of the head
  • Vomiting
  • Irritability or excessive sleepiness
  • Poor feeding
  • Seizures
  • Eyes that appear fixed downward (“sunsetting” sign)

In Older Children and Adults

  • Headache (often worse in the morning)
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Problems with balance or walking
  • Blurred or double vision
  • Difficulty concentrating or memory problems
  • Personality or behavior changes
  • Drowsiness or loss of consciousness
  • Seizures

In Older Adults (Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus)

NPH is especially important to recognize in older adults in the Grand Rapids area, as it is often treatable. Classic symptoms include:

  • Difficulty walking (shuffling, wide-based, or unsteady gait)
  • Urinary incontinence or urgency
  • Memory problems or cognitive decline

These symptoms can easily be mistaken for Alzheimer’s disease or other dementias, so evaluation by a neurologist or neurosurgeon is crucial.

How CSF Movement Is Disrupted

The brain contains interconnected cavities called ventricles, where CSF is produced. CSF:

  1. Is made in the ventricles
  2. Flows through narrow channels within the brain
  3. Exits near the base of the skull
  4. Circulates around the brain and spinal cord
  5. Is absorbed into the bloodstream near the top of the skull

If CSF is blocked or cannot be absorbed properly at any point:

  • Fluid builds up behind the blockage
  • Ventricles enlarge
  • Pressure inside the skull increases (intracranial pressure)

This pressure can damage brain tissue if not treated.

Causes of Hydrocephalus

Common causes include:

  • Congenital brain malformations
  • Spina bifida and related spinal cord defects
  • Dandy–Walker syndrome
  • Brain tumors
  • Brain infections (meningitis, encephalitis)
  • Hemorrhage (bleeding in the brain, often after trauma or stroke)
  • Complications of premature birth in infants
  • Unknown causes, especially in normal pressure hydrocephalus

Cold winters and icy conditions in Grand Rapids and across Michigan can increase the risk of falls and head injuries, which in turn can lead to bleeding in the brain and acquired hydrocephalus, especially in older adults.

Diagnosing Hydrocephalus in Grand Rapids

If hydrocephalus is suspected, a Grand Rapids healthcare provider—such as your primary care doctor, a neurologist, or a neurosurgeon—may recommend:

  • Physical examination – including neurological assessment
  • Eye examination – to look for swelling of the optic nerve (papilledema)
  • CT scan (Computed Tomography) – quick brain imaging often available in local emergency departments
  • MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) – detailed images of the brain and CSF pathways

These imaging tests are available at major Grand Rapids hospitals, including:

  • Corewell Health Butterworth Hospital (downtown)
  • Corewell Health Blodgett Hospital
  • Trinity Health Grand Rapids Hospital
  • University of Michigan Health-West (Metro Health)

Sometimes hydrocephalus is discovered incidentally during imaging done for other reasons. If there are no symptoms and pressure is not elevated, a “wait-and-see” approach with close monitoring may be recommended.

Treatment Options for Hydrocephalus

There is no medication that cures hydrocephalus. However, it can often be managed effectively with surgery, depending on the cause and severity.

1. Medication

Medication may be used to:

  • Treat underlying infections (antibiotics for meningitis or other brain infections)
  • Temporarily reduce CSF production in select cases

Medications alone are rarely a long-term solution, but they may be part of a broader treatment plan.

2. Surgery to Correct the Underlying Cause

If hydrocephalus is due to a tumor, cyst, or other structural problem, surgery may be performed to:

  • Remove or shrink the tumor
  • Remove blood clots or scar tissue
  • Open up blocked CSF pathways

This can restore more normal CSF flow.

3. Temporary CSF Drainage

In cases of temporary hydrocephalus, such as after bleeding or infection:

  • A small catheter (external ventricular drain) may be inserted into a ventricle
  • CSF drains into a collection system outside the body
  • This helps control pressure while the underlying problem resolves

This type of care is typically provided in an intensive care unit (ICU), available at major Grand Rapids hospitals.

4. Ventriculoperitoneal (VP) Shunt

The most common long-term surgical treatment is a ventriculoperitoneal shunt.

How a VP shunt works:

  • A small opening is made in the skull
  • A thin tube (catheter) is placed into one of the brain’s lateral ventricles
  • The tube is tunneled under the skin down to the abdomen
  • A second small incision is made in the abdomen
  • The tube is placed into the peritoneal cavity (the space around the abdominal organs)
  • A one-way valve controls how much CSF drains from the brain to the abdomen
  • The body absorbs the CSF naturally from the abdomen

Shunts may be:

  • Temporary – used while a short-term problem resolves
  • Permanent – used for long-term conditions such as congenital hydrocephalus or NPH

Shunts require lifelong monitoring, as they can occasionally become blocked or infected and may need adjustment or replacement.

5. Endoscopic Third Ventriculostomy (ETV)

In certain types of hydrocephalus—especially when there is a narrowing (stenosis) or blockage between the ventricles—an endoscopic third ventriculostomy may be an option.

ETV procedure:

  • A small opening is made in the skull
  • A neurosurgeon inserts a thin, flexible instrument called an endoscope with a tiny camera
  • A small opening is created in the floor of one of the brain’s ventricles
  • This opening allows CSF to bypass the blockage and flow more normally

In some patients, ETV can eliminate the need for a shunt.

Neurosurgeons in Grand Rapids at facilities like Corewell Health, Trinity Health Grand Rapids, and Metro Health can determine whether VP shunt placement, ETV, or another surgical approach is best.

6. Wait-and-See Approach

If hydrocephalus is:

  • Found incidentally on a CT or MRI
  • Not causing symptoms
  • Not associated with high intracranial pressure

A doctor may recommend careful monitoring with regular checkups and imaging rather than immediate surgery.

Living With Hydrocephalus in Grand Rapids

With proper treatment and follow-up care, many individuals with hydrocephalus can attend school, work, and participate fully in community life. Key aspects of ongoing care include:

  • Regular visits with a primary care provider, neurologist, or neurosurgeon
  • Monitoring for changes in symptoms (headaches, walking difficulty, confusion, seizures)
  • Prompt evaluation if a shunt malfunction or infection is suspected
  • Support for developmental, learning, or mobility challenges in children

Families in West Michigan may benefit from local and state resources, including:

  • Kent County Health Department – community health services and referrals
  • Grand Rapids Public Health programs – support for children with special health needs
  • Spina Bifida Association of Michigan – information and support for families dealing with spina bifida and related hydrocephalus
  • Regional neurology and neurosurgery clinics affiliated with Corewell Health, Trinity Health, and Metro Health

When to Seek Immediate Medical Care

Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department in Grand Rapids if someone with known or suspected hydrocephalus has:

  • Sudden, severe headache
  • Repeated vomiting
  • Sudden confusion or loss of consciousness
  • New or worsening seizures
  • Sudden trouble walking or severe balance problems
  • Sudden vision changes

Emergency departments at Butterworth Hospital, Trinity Health Grand Rapids, and other local hospitals are equipped to evaluate and stabilize hydrocephalus-related emergencies.

Who Can Help in Grand Rapids, MI?

If you are concerned about hydrocephalus for yourself or a family member, consider contacting:

  • Your GP / primary care doctor
  • A neurologist (brain and nervous system specialist)
  • A neurosurgeon (brain surgery specialist)

These specialists are available through:

  • Corewell Health (Spectrum Health) in Grand Rapids
  • Trinity Health Grand Rapids
  • University of Michigan Health-West (Metro Health)
  • Mercy Health clinics and affiliated providers

They can provide evaluation, imaging, treatment options, and referrals to additional support services.

Key Points About Hydrocephalus in Grand Rapids

  • The body normally maintains a constant circulation and absorption of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF).
  • Hydrocephalus occurs when CSF production, flow, or absorption is disrupted, causing enlarged ventricles and increased pressure in the skull.
  • Hydrocephalus can be congenital, acquired, or normal pressure hydrocephalus (more common in older adults).
  • Symptoms can be subtle or absent, but may include enlarged head in infants, difficulty walking, incontinence, memory problems, headaches, nausea, vomiting, vision changes, and seizures.
  • Diagnosis typically involves physical and eye examinations, CT scans, and MRI scans, all available at major Grand Rapids hospitals.
  • Treatment may include medication, surgery to remove the cause, ventriculoperitoneal shunt, or endoscopic third ventriculostomy, with some patients managed by a wait-and-see approach.
  • Older adults in the Grand Rapids area with walking problems, incontinence, and memory decline should be evaluated for normal pressure hydrocephalus, a potentially treatable condition.

If you live in the Grand Rapids, MI area and suspect hydrocephalus, early evaluation by a qualified medical professional can significantly improve outcomes.