Final answer:
Cerebral aqueduct stenosis is one potential cause of hydrocephalus in newborns, but not necessarily the most common. Hydrocephalus treatment typically involves the implantation of a shunt to drain excess CSF, and disorders of CSF flow can significantly impact brain function.
Step-by-step explanation:
Cerebral aqueduct stenosis is a condition that can lead to hydrocephalus, a buildup of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) that causes the brain to swell. The condition is related to the blockage of the cerebral aqueduct, which connects the third and fourth ventricles in the midbrain. Although this can be a cause of hydrocephalus in newborns, it is not necessarily the most common one. Various factors like hemorrhages, infections, or congenital malformations can also cause hydrocephalus.
The treatment of hydrocephalus often involves the implantation of a shunt, a device that allows the excess CSF to be drained into the abdominal cavity, which can lead to a near-complete recovery. However, shunts require careful monitoring to manage the balance between the production and removal of CSF; complications like overdraining or underdraining can lead to serious issues. Moreover, disorders of CSF flow can affect cerebral blood flow and therefore brain function.
Imaging techniques such as MRI are essential in diagnosing the enlarged ventricles characteristic of hydrocephalus. For instance, in the given case study of Dayo, doctors noted such enlargement, which led to the diagnosis and subsequent shunt surgery.