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What Is Hydrocephalus and How Do Doctors Treat It?
Hydrocephalus is a build-up of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in the brain's fluid spaces, the ventricles. As they widen, pressure on the brain rises and can damage it. Treatment therefore almost always means surgery, which drains the extra fluid or bypasses a blockage.
The two main operations are a shunt and an endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV). A shunt is a thin tube with a valve that drains fluid to the belly. In contrast, ETV opens a small hole inside the brain to bypass a blockage.
Prof. Albayrak chooses between them after he examines the patient and studies the scans. The type of hydrocephalus, its cause and the patient's age then guide that choice. For more on babies, see hydrocephalus in children in our pediatric guide.
Hydrocephalus Treatment at a Glance
- ShuntA thin tube and valve under the skin, usually for life
- ETVNo implant; suits hydrocephalus caused by a blockage
- MedicinesOnly a short-term, supporting role
- Hospital stayOften a few days after either operation
- Flying homeUK guidance: about 7 days after brain surgery
- Follow-upRegular check-ups, for life with a shunt
Where Are You in Your Decision?
First, pick the line that fits you. Each one then jumps to the matching part of this guide.
- 01You suspect hydrocephalusSymptoms in babies, children and adults
- 02You have a diagnosis and want to understand itTypes and causes, and what they mean for surgery
- 03You are choosing between a shunt and ETVHow each operation works, side by side
- 04You or your child already has a shuntWarning signs of a blocked or infected shunt
- 05You are planning treatment in IstanbulHospital stay, flights and follow-up at home
Hydrocephalus Symptoms by Age
Symptoms depend mostly on age, because a baby's skull can still grow. Older children and adults have a closed skull, so headache and vomiting come first.
In babies
A baby's head may grow faster than the growth chart predicts. The soft spot on top (fontanelle) can also feel tense or bulge.
- Eyes that look fixed downward ("sunsetting")
- A thin, shiny scalp with visible veins
- Vomiting, poor feeding, sleepiness or irritability
- A high-pitched cry, or seizures
- Slower development, such as late sitting or crawling
In children
Headache is the main sign, often worst on waking and with morning vomiting. Children may also have blurred or double vision.
- Unsteady walking, clumsiness or poor balance
- Sleepiness or trouble waking up
- Changes in behavior, or slipping school performance
- Wetting again after toilet training
In adults
Adults usually notice headache, nausea, blurred vision and poor balance. When hydrocephalus develops slowly, memory and concentration may slip too.
After a brain bleed, for example, it can appear within hours or days. Growing drowsiness then needs emergency care.
After 60: normal pressure hydrocephalus
Normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH) mostly affects people over 60. It causes a slow, shuffling walk, bladder urgency and slower thinking. Because these signs resemble dementia, NPH often goes unrecognized.
Unlike Alzheimer's disease, however, NPH can improve with a shunt. First, tests such as a lumbar drainage test show who is likely to benefit.
Questions at this stage
Can hydrocephalus go away on its own?
Usually not. Most hydrocephalus keeps worsening until surgery drains or bypasses the fluid. After a bleed, however, a temporary drain sometimes suffices while the brain recovers.
Types and Causes of Hydrocephalus
Doctors sort hydrocephalus by where the fluid gets stuck and when it starts. So the type often decides between a shunt and an ETV.
| Type | What happens | Common causes | Usual treatment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obstructive (non-communicating) | A narrow channel between the ventricles closes, so fluid builds up behind it | A narrow aqueduct, a tumor, a colloid cyst or a pineal region lesion | Often ETV; otherwise a shunt; sometimes removal of the cause |
| Communicating | Fluid moves between the ventricles but does not drain away well | Bleeding in the brain, meningitis or a head injury | Usually a shunt |
| Congenital | Present at birth or soon after | Spina bifida, a narrow aqueduct, infection in pregnancy, genetic causes | A shunt or ETV, depending on the cause and age |
| Normal pressure (NPH) | The ventricles widen slowly, mostly in people over 60 | Often unknown; sometimes earlier bleeding, injury or infection | A shunt for selected patients after tests |
Some conditions often bring hydrocephalus with them. For example, most babies with myelomeningocele (open spina bifida) develop it. A Chiari malformation can also disturb fluid flow where the skull meets the spine.
In adults, a tumor, a bleed, an infection or a head injury often causes it. See our guides to brain tumor treatment and brain aneurysms.
Is hydrocephalus genetic?
Usually not. Most cases follow another problem, such as bleeding, infection or a tumor. A few congenital forms, however, come from inherited gene changes.
Is hydrocephalus the same as idiopathic intracranial hypertension?
No. In idiopathic intracranial hypertension (pseudotumor cerebri), pressure rises but the ventricles stay normal in size. So the two conditions need different treatment plans.
When Is Hydrocephalus an Emergency?
Slow changes need a prompt doctor's visit. In contrast, sudden or worsening signs need emergency care, especially with a shunt.
See a doctor soon if you notice:
- A baby's head that grows faster than the growth chart
- Headaches on waking that keep coming back
- Gradual problems with walking, balance or memory
- Bladder urgency together with a shuffling walk after 60
Get emergency care now for:
- A severe or worsening headache with repeated vomiting
- Drowsiness, confusion or difficulty waking up
- A seizure, new double vision or new weakness
- In a baby: a bulging soft spot or a high-pitched cry
- With a shunt: your old symptoms coming back
- With a shunt: fever, a stiff neck, belly pain or redness along the tube
Call 911 in the US and Canada, 999 in the UK or 112 in Europe. With a shunt, say so at once, because a blocked shunt needs urgent surgery. Shunt infections are also more likely in the first few months after surgery.
Hydrocephalus Treatment Options: Shunt or ETV?
Surgery is the main treatment for hydrocephalus, and medicines play only a short-term, supporting role. Most patients receive either a shunt or an ETV.
Shunt Surgery
The shunt system lies fully under the skin, from a ventricle to the belly. Doctors call this a ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt. Less often, the tube ends near a lung or in the heart instead.
Fixed or Programmable Valve?
The valve opens when pressure rises, so fluid does not drain too fast. A fixed valve always opens at the same pressure.
In contrast, a surgeon can adjust a programmable valve from outside the body. A magnetic tool on the skin changes its setting, with no new operation. However, strong magnets, including MRI scanners, can also change it by accident.
Endoscopic Third Ventriculostomy (ETV)
ETV treats hydrocephalus without an implant. The surgeon passes a thin camera (endoscope) through a small hole in the skull. Then a tiny opening in the third ventricle's floor lets fluid bypass the blockage.
ETV suits mainly obstructive hydrocephalus, for example from a narrow aqueduct. In some babies, surgeons also add choroid plexus cauterization to reduce fluid production.
Shunt and ETV Side by Side
The NHS notes that long-term results of ETV and shunts are similar, so the type of hydrocephalus decides.
| Question | Shunt (VP shunt) | ETV |
|---|---|---|
| How it works | A tube and valve carry fluid to the belly, where the body absorbs it | A small opening inside the brain lets fluid flow around a blockage |
| Best suited to | Most types, including poor absorption (communicating) | Mainly blocked flow (obstructive), such as a narrow aqueduct |
| Implant | Yes, under the skin, usually for life | None |
| Operation time | Usually 1-2 hours | About 1 hour |
| Main risks | Blockage, infection, too much or too little drainage | The opening can close; lower infection risk; rarely bleeding, nerve or hormone problems |
| If it stops working | A revision replaces the faulty part | A repeat ETV or a shunt |
| Follow-up | Lifelong check-ups; valve checks after MRI if programmable | Regular check-ups, because the opening can close |
Is ETV better than a shunt?
Neither is better for everyone; the right choice depends on the type. ETV often suits obstructive hydrocephalus and avoids an implant. For poor absorption, however, a shunt remains the standard treatment.
Can hydrocephalus be treated without surgery?
Not in the long term. Medicines may help briefly, for example while the team plans surgery. Lasting control, however, needs a shunt, an ETV or removal of the cause.
Risks and Recovery After Shunt or ETV Surgery
Most people go home within a few days, but both operations carry risks. Knowing them helps you spot a problem early, especially after you fly home.
What Are the Main Risks?
With a shunt, the most common problems are blockage and infection. A shunt can also drain too much or too little fluid. Children may outgrow the tubing and need a longer one.
After ETV, the new opening can close over time, and symptoms then return. Bleeding, nerve problems or hormone changes can occur, but most settle. Rarely, either operation causes a seizure or serious bleeding.
Recovery Timeline
| When | What usually happens |
|---|---|
| Day of surgery | The operation under general anesthesia, then close monitoring |
| First days | Sitting up and walking; medicine for headache and wound pain |
| After a few days | Discharge, once you feel well and the wound looks healthy |
| Days 7-14 | Stitches or staples come out, unless they dissolve |
| Following weeks | A gradual return to school, work and daily life; ask before contact sports |
How long is recovery after shunt surgery?
Most people leave hospital within a few days and feel better soon after. The wound then heals over about 1-2 weeks. Normal activities usually return over the following weeks.
Living With a Shunt: Check-Ups, MRI and Magnets
Many people with a shunt lead an active life, with regular check-ups. A programmable valve, however, needs extra care around MRI scans and strong magnets.
- Know your shunt: carry a card with the valve make, model and setting. In an emergency, it helps doctors who do not know you.
- Magnets: keep phones, earbuds and other magnets at least 2 inches (5 cm) from the valve. Use the ear on the other side for calls.
- Setting checks: only an X-ray or a "shunt checker" tool confirms the setting. Each valve maker uses its own checker, so make sure your team at home has the right one.
The FDA gives this advice for magnetic, programmable valves. It also warns that hard blows, for example in contact sports, can damage a shunt. So ask your surgeon which activities suit you or your child.
How long does a shunt last?
No one can predict it exactly. Many shunts work for years, but blockage or infection can stop one at any time. Over a lifetime, one or more revisions may follow, so check-ups continue for life.
Can you have an MRI with a shunt?
Usually, yes. First, tell the MRI team, because the magnet can change a programmable valve. Afterward, a doctor checks the setting and resets it if needed.
Coming to Istanbul from the US, Canada, the UK or Europe
Both operations need only a short hospital stay, but the trip needs planning. Above all, arrange follow-up at home before you travel.
How Long to Stay
First come the consultation and any new scans. Next, the operation and usually a few days in hospital follow. Then you rest nearby until a check before the flight.
UK aviation guidance advises about 7 days between neurosurgery and flying. Trapped air in the skull can expand at altitude. So plan around two weeks in Istanbul, and keep your return date flexible.
Flying Home
Flying after surgery also raises the risk of blood clots, the CDC notes. So ask how to lower that risk, and choose an aisle seat.
Follow-Up at Home
Before you leave, book a visit with a neurosurgery team near home. Then share your discharge papers and valve details with them.
Back in the UK, car drivers must stop driving after a shunt or an ETV. They must also tell the DVLA, which may allow driving again after 6 months. In the US and Canada, rules vary, so ask your doctor first.
For insurance, Medicare, the NHS and visas, see our guide to brain surgery in Turkey. In Canada, check with your provincial health plan and private insurer before you book.
Can I fly with a shunt?
Usually, yes, once you have recovered. Right after surgery, however, UK aviation guidance advises waiting about 7 days. Your neurosurgeon then confirms the date after a check-up.
What if my shunt stops working after I return home?
Go to the nearest emergency department, and say that you have a shunt. Your discharge summary and valve card then help the local team act fast. You can also message the clinic team in Istanbul.
Your treatment in Istanbul
From Your First Message to Flying Home
Treatment follows four steps, and each step answers one practical question.
STEP 01
Request an appointment
Use the form on this page, WhatsApp or call +90 532 308 97 72. A short message is enough: the diagnosis, the patient's age and your travel dates.
You can write in English or Turkish. The team then contacts you to arrange the consultation date.
STEP 02
Consultation and tests in Istanbul
Prof. Albayrak first takes the medical history, including the family history. Then he checks strength, reflexes, balance and vision.
Next, scans confirm the type and the cause. MRI gives the most detail, while babies often start with an ultrasound. Finally, he explains whether a shunt or an ETV suits you, and why.
The clinic lies in Teşvikiye, Şişli, on the European side of Istanbul. Get directions on Google Maps.
STEP 03
Surgery and hospital stay
The operation takes place in a hospital in Istanbul, under general anesthesia. Prof. Albayrak names the hospital at the consultation, along with the likely stay.
For a shunt, small cuts sit behind the ear and on the belly. In contrast, ETV needs only one small opening in the skull.
STEP 04
Recovery, the flight home and follow-up
Before discharge, ask for a written record of the valve model and its setting. You also receive a discharge summary for your doctor at home. Ask for copies of your scans, too.
When can I wash my hair after surgery?
Wait until the stitches or staples come out, usually after 7-14 days. Until then, keep the wound dry, and do not soak it in a bath. Ask your surgeon, too, because some stitches dissolve on their own.
Your Hydrocephalus Surgeon in Istanbul
Prof. Dr. Serdar Baki Albayrak
Neurosurgeon · Hydrocephalus Surgery for Adults and Children
Prof. Albayrak recommends a shunt or an ETV only after examining the patient in person. He also co-wrote research on microsurgery for colloid cysts and pineal region lesions. Both can block the flow of spinal fluid.
He completed his neurosurgery training at Istanbul University in 2004. Clinical fellowships then followed at the University of Helsinki and Harvard Medical School. Consultations take place in English or Turkish.
27+Years
5,000+Operations
64Countries
33Publications
Figures from Prof. Albayrak's professional profile, September 2026. See his full publication list.
Request an AppointmentFrequently Asked Questions
How much does hydrocephalus surgery cost in Turkey?
The cost depends on the operation, the valve, the hospital stay and any new scans. Prices online often cover different things. So ask for the cost of your own plan at the consultation, before you decide.
Can hydrocephalus be cured?
Surgery controls it well in many people, although a shunt usually stays for life. Removing a blocking cyst or tumor, however, may end the problem. An ETV can also free some people from a lifelong implant.
What is the life expectancy with hydrocephalus?
With timely treatment, many people live a normal lifespan. The outlook depends mostly on the cause, such as bleeding, infection or a tumor. In contrast, untreated hydrocephalus can threaten life.
Prof. Albayrak's Published Research
These peer-reviewed articles by Prof. Albayrak cover colloid cysts and pineal region lesions. Both can block fluid pathways; a third paper covers spinal surgery in children. None of them studies shunts or ETV directly; see his full list of 33 publications.
- Microsurgical treatment of third ventricular colloid cysts by interhemispheric far lateral transcallosal approach: experience of 134 patients
- Microsurgical management of pineal region lesions: personal experience with 119 patients
- Tethered cord syndrome in childhood: special emphasis on the surgical technique and review of the literature with our experience
Public health information
- National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. Hydrocephalus.
- NHS. Hydrocephalus: treatment.
- NHS. Hydrocephalus: complications.
- MedlinePlus. Ventriculoperitoneal shunting.
- MedlinePlus. Ventriculoperitoneal shunt: discharge.
- US Food and Drug Administration. Cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) shunt systems.
- US Food and Drug Administration. Risks of CSF shunts.
- US Food and Drug Administration. Information for patients and caregivers about magnetic field interference.
- UK Civil Aviation Authority. Surgical conditions: guidance for health professionals.
- US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Medical tourism.
- GOV.UK, Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency. Neurological disorders: assessing fitness to drive.
This page gives general medical information and does not replace a consultation. Diagnosis and treatment decisions need an examination by your own doctor. Travel and driving rules change, so check the official pages above before you book.
Last updated: 1 October 2026. Website editor: Prof. Dr. Serdar Baki Albayrak's clinic, [email protected].
Plan Your Hydrocephalus Treatment in Istanbul
Request an appointment with Prof. Dr. Serdar Baki Albayrak. The team then helps you plan the dates of your visit.
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