Thursday, November 14, 2013

Facts About Dandy Walker Malformation

By Jack Morgan


Dandy walker malformation refers to a congenital malformation of the brain which involves the cerebellum which is an area at the back of the brain which controls movement. It is a genetic sporadic disorder that occurs once in every 30,000 live births. It is hard to diagnose it during the prenatal and the prognosis of the outcome is also difficult to determine.

The key features of this malformation are characterized by the fourth ventricle enlarging in size. The fourth ventricle is responsible for free flow of liquid between the brain's upper and lower parts and the spinal cord. There could be a complete or partial absence of the brain area covering the area between the two cerebellar hemispheres. There could be some cyst formation near the skull lower parts.

Older children experience different symptoms altogether. Normally, there is an increase in the intracranial pressure that leads to kids being irritable and vomiting. Kids also experience cerebellar dysfunction, which is evident through children lacking muscle coordination, unsteadiness including jerky eye movement. The circumference of the head could also increase in some cases while other children experience some bulge at the back of the head.

Many people are interested in understanding whether dandy walker malformation can be treated. Individuals who have this syndrome can only be treated by addressing each of the symptoms if the need arises. In other instances, a surgical procedure could be recommended. It is known as shunt and this is whereby excess fluid within the brain is drained off. It eases the pressure on the cerebellum, while helping to manage the swelling. It is advisable that parents who have children with this condition go for genetic counseling, in case they need to get more children.

Treatment for people with dandy walker malformation normally involves treating the problems that are associated with the disease when it is needed. There is also a surgical procedure referred to as a shunt that is necessary to drain the excess liquid found in the brain off. The draining off reduces the intracranial pressure which reduces the swelling. It is wise for parents of such children to go for genetic counseling just in case they may have any plans for getting more children in future.

If there is any need for the treatment of Dandy Walker Malformation then it must involve the treatment of the associated problems. Excess fluid that is found within the brain is drained can be drained off via a process surgical process called Shunt. This surgical procedure helps in controlling the swelling and reduction of intracranial pressure in the brain.

There are various researches that are being conducted by different researchers on the complexities of the normal development of the human brain. The extensive knowledge being discovered from these researches are important in a number of ways. They are aimed at providing a solid foundation in the discovery of the various abnormal developments of the human brain.

This information would be more useful in the discovery of new methods for treating and preventing the various brain developmental disorders of which the dandy walker malformation is part of. This would be of great help to children who may be born with this condition. It would also enable the progressive world of medicine capable of dealing with this type of brain development disorder.




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