Final answer:
A shunt is used to treat hydrocephalus by draining excess CSF and must be regulated to prevent complications. Craniosynostosis is treated surgically by opening the prematurely fused skull sutures. A lumbar puncture is conducted in the lower lumbar region to safely extract CSF for diagnosis.
Step-by-step explanation:
To manage the condition known as hydrocephalus, which involves the accumulation of excess cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) within the brain's ventricles, a medical device called a shunt is often implanted. In this procedure, a catheter is inserted into the brain's ventricles, and using a one-way valve, the excess CSF is drained to another part of the body-typically, the abdominal cavity. It's crucial that the drainage rate is carefully controlled to prevent complications such as overdraining or underdraining, both of which can lead to serious health issues.
In cases of craniosynostosis, which is a condition where the skull bones fuse prematurely, surgery is performed to open the skull along the fused suture to allow for normal growth. This treatment often yields positive outcomes, with most children growing and developing normally post-surgery.
When diagnosing neurological symptoms that could be related to infections, a lumbar puncture, also known as a spinal tap, may be conducted. This procedure involves inserting a needle into the lower lumbar region of the spinal canal to extract CSF for analysis. This area is chosen for sampling as it is relatively safe due to the spinal cord not extending into the lower lumbar vertebrae.