[Selection of a method of treating the hydrocephalic syndrome in children].

Differentiated therapy in relation to the stage and form of hydrocephalus was elaborated on the basis of observations of 128 children with the overt form of progressive hydrocephalus treated conservatively and 111 children with overt and covert forms who had undergone surgery of bypassing the cerebrospinal fluid spaces. In cases of the acute growth of the intracranial hypertension, diuretics are used, and the pressure in the cerebrospinal system is alleviated by puncture of the lateral ventricle and removal of the fluid. In the chronic course of the disease with slow enlargement of the head size, it is indicated to use diacarb (acetazolamide) which is a carboanhydrase inhibitor and decreases the production of the cerebrospinal fluid. In obstructive hydrocephalus and failure of conservative therapy of its overt form, the only method of treatment is surgical intervention aimed at draining the cerebrospinal fluid from the cerebrospinal fluid spaces into the right atrium or the peritoneal cavity with the help of implanted shunts. The combination of conservative and surgical methods of hydrocephalus treatment makes it possible to achieve good results in the overwhelming majority of cases.