ABSTRACT
Hydrocephalus is a descriptive term implying a mismatch between cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) production and absorption. This usually manifests itself by dilation of the ventricular system; in turn, this is often associated with an increase in intracranial pressure (ICP). Virtually all cases of hydrocephalus are secondary to obstruction. Classically, the site of this obstruction is used to describe the type of hydrocephalus: communicating hydrocephalus indicates a problem with absorption, while non-communicating hydrocephalus indicates an obstruction to CSF flow at some point between the site of production and the site of absorption. The generally accepted view is that the CSF circulates by bulk flow, from the choroid plexus (production) to the pacchionian granulations (absorption).
