Is there a relationship between Hydrocephalus and Cevical Spinal Stenosis?
 

I have recently be diagnosed with cervical spinal stenosis and degenerative disk disease. I also have many of the symptoms of Hydrocephalus but have not been diagnosed with it (yet). I've done some reading and I have a basic understanding of hydrocephalus and spinal stenosis.

In my case, the stenosis is at C5 and the thecal sac is completely compressed around the spinal cord (via MRI). It looks like there is no room for the CSF to flow beyond the point of the stenosis. So where does it end up going?

As I understand things, your brain generates about a pint of CSF per day. The CSF delivers fresh nutrients to the brain and it is also distributed down the length of your spinal cord and absorbed by your body. But what happens to the CSF if it can't get beyond the neck due to stenosis?

Standing back and just looking at the mechanics of the situation, it seems to me the CSF would just backup, from the point of the stenosis, into the brain and cause Hydrocephalus (very much like a clogged drain). But I haven't found any published material that draws the same conclusion.

Any thoughts or knowledge regarding this cause and effect relationship?

TIA

hi no_name_4_me and welcome

sorry you havent had any replies yet. the boards are quieter this holiday week, and with summer in full swing, so I hope someone will be along soon to give you some feedback to your questions

Any blockage point of CSF has the potential to cause a problem....
 

it depends on the degree of the blockage, as well as the ability of the meninges to absorb CSF. It may be that your body is still able to absorb the CSF (if it is blocking), and therefore treatment may not be necessary.

Unless you are experiencing severe headaches and vomitting I don't suggest that you insist on treatment (ie a shunt) because once a shunt, forever a shunt. Is it possible to remove part of the vertebrae to take pressure off the spinal cord? What symptoms are you having at the moment? Perhaps they can be managed effectively without a shunt or other treatment.

Nat.