What condition is caused by a blockage of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)?

Hydrocephalus is a condition characterized by an abnormal accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) within the ventricles of the brain, which occurs due to a blockage in the normal flow of CSF. This blockage can prevent the CSF from being properly absorbed or drained, leading to increased pressure within the skull. Over time, this buildup of fluid can result in brain damage, cognitive deficits, and other neurological problems.

The distinctive feature of hydrocephalus is that it specifically involves the management of CSF, either through obstruction or impaired absorption. In contrast, anoxia refers to a lack of oxygen supply to the brain, which is caused by different mechanisms rather than CSF blockage. Hemorrhage involves bleeding in the brain or surrounding areas, and diffuse axonal injury is a type of brain injury that results from acceleration-deceleration forces, often seen in traumatic brain injury, with no direct association with CSF flow. Thus, hydrocephalus stands out as the condition directly linked to CSF blockage.