Which statement lists the causes of hydrocephalus?

Which statement lists the causes of hydrocephalus?

• A. Impaired CSF flow, impaired reabsorption, and excessive CSF production.
• B. Decreased CSF production only.
• C. Increased CSF absorption only.
• D. Not related to CSF dynamics.

Answer: (A)

Hydrocephalus occurs when the balance of CSF production, flow, and absorption is disrupted, leading to accumulation of CSF and ventricular dilation. The statement that lists impaired CSF flow, impaired reabsorption, and excessive CSF production best captures the major ways this can happen: obstruction of flow (impaired movement of CSF through the ventricles and pathways), reduced absorption at the arachnoid granulations (impaired drainage into the venous system), and, though rare, overproduction by the choroid plexus (excess CSF production). The other options don’t fit because decreasing CSF production would not cause hydrocephalus, increased absorption would actually help prevent it, and saying CSF dynamics aren’t involved ignores the fundamental mechanism of hydrocephalus.

Hydrocephalus occurs when the balance of CSF production, flow, and absorption is disrupted, leading to accumulation of CSF and ventricular dilation. The statement that lists impaired CSF flow, impaired reabsorption, and excessive CSF production best captures the major ways this can happen: obstruction of flow (impaired movement of CSF through the ventricles and pathways), reduced absorption at the arachnoid granulations (impaired drainage into the venous system), and, though rare, overproduction by the choroid plexus (excess CSF production).

The other options don’t fit because decreasing CSF production would not cause hydrocephalus, increased absorption would actually help prevent it, and saying CSF dynamics aren’t involved ignores the fundamental mechanism of hydrocephalus.