Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 5, 2026

Modeling Posthemorrhagic Hydrocephalus of Prematurity in Rats
Published on: March 28, 2025
An association between external hydrocephalus in infants and reversible collapse of the venous sinuses
Grant A Bateman1, Michael Alber2, Martin U Schuhmann3
1Department of Medical Imaging, John Hunter Hospital, Newcastle, Australia.
Abstract:
The etiology of external hydrocephalus is usually ascribed to either a delay in maturation or obstruction of the arachnoid granulations, but the arachnoid granulations are absent in neonates. Venous outflow stenoses, similar to those seen in idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH), have been described in external hydrocephalus. A reversible collapse of the sinuses is known to operate in IIH, but collapsible sinuses have not been previously described in infants with external hydrocephalus. Three infants with external hydrocephalus had magnetic resonance venography at differing time points during their illness. The venous sinuses varied in size depending on the cerebrospinal fluid pressure similar to IIH in adults. External hydrocephalus may be analogous to IIH in adults.
Related Concept Videos
Veins of Head and Neck
On the other hand, the vertebral veins, unlike their arterial counterparts, are not primarily responsible for brain drainage. Instead, they drain the cervical vertebrae, spinal cord, and some small...
Cerebral Edema ll: Pathophysiology
Increased Intracranial Pressure l: Introduction
Increased Intracranial Pressure ll: Pathophysiology
Cerebral Edema l: Introduction
Anatomy of the Brain: Ventricles
