Noncommunicating Hydrocephalus

Noncommunicating hydrocephalus is often referred to as obstructive hydrocephalus and is by definition an intraventricular obstruction of cerebrospinal fluid flow. Patient symptoms depend on the rapidity of onset. Acute obstructive hydrocephalus causes sudden rise in the intracranial pressure, which may lead to death, whereas in chronic hydrocephalus there may not be any symptoms. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging play important roles in the diagnosis and management of hydrocephalus. Advances in magnetic resonance imaging such as the 3D sequences and phase-contrast imaging have revolutionized the preoperative and postoperative assessment of noncommunicating hydrocephalus. We would be discussing the various causes of noncommunicating hydrocephalus and their imaging.