Medical Tests

Healthcare professionals may use any number of medical tests to confirm or rule out a diagnosis of hydrocephalus. Which test or tests are ordered will depend on what the healthcare professional believes is most appropriate based on the person‘s age and other factors.

The medical tests bused to diagnose hydrocephalus include:

• Ultrasound
  • -high frequency sound waves are bounced off the part of the body being studied to provide an image of what is inside. Ultrasound is used to diagnose congenital hydrocephalus while the fetus is still in the womb. Click here to learn about the types of hydrocephalus. Ultrasound is frequently used on infants.
• Computed Tomography (CT) Scan
  • -a high-contrast imaging technique that enables healthcare professionals to look at the brain without performing surgery. CT scans are fast, easy to perform, and do not use a lot of radiation.
• Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) 
  • -a combination of radio waves and powerful magnets give healthcare professionals a detailed view of the different structures in the brain. It can show blockages, and help determine the best course of treatment. A “Fast MRI” may be used in infants. 
• Radioisotope Cisternography
  • -a specialized test that uses radiation to help healthcare professionals watch how cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) flows through the brain. This type of medical test is most often used in adults who may have normal-pressure hydrocephalus (NPH)

Click here to learn about the types of hydrocephalus. Click here to learn about physical exams for diagnosing hydrocephalus.