Re: Brain Cavities

Posted By Michelle on October 29, 1998 at 08:35:41:

In Reply to: Re: Brain Cavities posted by CCF Neurology MD - AY on October 29, 1998 at 06:34:29:






I have many concerns about my 93 year old grandmother.  She has suffered with neuralgia for about the last 3 years
She recently began complaining of "hearing crickets" in her head and also describes hearing a sound much like "rocks rolling around inside her head"
if she moves her head to the side.  She has also begun to stumble when she stands up from a sitting or declining position.  She had an MRI a week ago that showed the nerve in the
face is not damaged, but her doctor did mention that the normal cavities in her brain that should contain fluid were "drying up or had dried up".  Can you explain what exactly would cause drying up of the cavities and what prognosis can we expect from this condition?
I am prepared to accept whatever response you offer so please be as direct as possible. Thank you so much. Michelle




Thanks for your question.  I am assuming that the "cavities" mentioned by
by your physician refers to the ventricular system, which contains the
Cerebro-Spinal Fluid (CSF).  As one ages - particularly to the age of your
grandmother - there is a significant atrophy of the brain tissue, which will
enlarge the ventricular system, quite considerably.  I am quite puzzled by
what you referred as "drying up" of the ventricles.  Is your physician stating
that where is AIR in the ventricles, or elsewhere inside the skull?  Although
pneumoencephaly (air inside the skull) is a possible complication of trauma
or neurosurgical procedures, it is highly unusual as a spontaneous phenomenon.
If your physician is only referring to the "natural" enlargement of the
ventricular system, that finding is not of very significant clinical concern.
I hope this information is helpful.  Best of luck.
This information is provided for general medical education purposes only.
Please consult your doctor regarding diagnostic and treatment options.
Thank you for your immediate response to my concerns. In answer to the "dried up" question, I can only assume that he meant that where there should be fluid, there is none or very very little. If this is the case then will my grandmother be losing her functions without this fluid?
What should we expect as this fluid decreases? Thanks again, Michelle