Hydrocephalus Medical Negligence
Hydrocephalus requires prompt diagnosis and emergency treatment in order to avoid possible permanent brain damage.
Hydrocephalus delays
A failure to recognise the symptoms of hydrocephalus may be regarded as medical negligence and can lead to a claim for compensation. A delay in treatment may mean that the individual concerned - be it a baby, a child or an adult - will develop learning disabilities, problems with vision and speech, epilepsy and memory problems.
Such effects can severely restrict the person's ability to work and live independently.
Build-up of cerebrospinal fluid
Hydrocephalus is a superfluous build-up of cerebrospinal fluid on the brain. Although cerebrospinal fluid is an entirely natural fluid which is produced by the body naturally and which is essential to the brain, it can begin to have a negative impact if levels which should normally pass from the brain into the bloodstream, instead remain around the brain.
Hydrocephalus can be present in a baby at birth. This may be due to a pre-existing condition or damage preventing the normal flow of cerebrospinal fluid. It is vital that the baby's condition is diagnosed as promptly as possible in order that the problem can be addressed.
Older children and adults can also develop hydrocephalus, which may be as the result of damage to the head, a brain tumour or a stroke causing the normal processes controlling the levels of cerebrospinal fluid to fail to work effectively.
Prompt diagnosis and treatment to drain the excess fluid off the brain is essential to prevent the development of the possible effects mentioned above.
Symptoms of hydrocephalus
Adults with hydrocephalus may experience a range of symptoms which might alert them - and their medical practitioners to the fact that something is seriously wrong. Their symptoms could include the following:
- Nausea
- Confusion
- Headaches
- Pain around the neck
- Tiredness
- Blurred vision
In babies, the signs of hydrocephalus may be more visual such as having a larger head, visible veins through a thin scalp and eyes which appear to be looking downwards.
Failure to diagnose and treat
A prompt diagnosis will mean that the patient can have surgery to insert a thin tube into the brain in order to drain the excess cerebrospinal fluid away from the brain.
A failure to make a timely diagnosis can allow associated damage to deteriorate causing brain damage.
Speak to a solicitor
If you or a loved one are suffering permanent physical difficulties due to a failure to diagnose your hydrocephalus, contact us to discuss your situation with a specialist medical negligence solicitor.
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