Core Terms & Classification
Occult hydrocephalus
Occult hydrocephalus is hydrocephalus that is present without obvious symptoms, sometimes discovered incidentally.
In short: Occult hydrocephalus
- It is present without clearly apparent symptoms.
- It may be found incidentally on imaging.
- It contrasts with overt hydrocephalus.
- It still warrants evaluation to determine its significance.
What it is
Occult hydrocephalus is hydrocephalus that is hidden or not clearly apparent, producing few or no obvious symptoms. It is sometimes discovered incidentally when imaging is done for another reason.
Understanding Occult hydrocephalus
Because it is not causing clearly recognizable problems, occult hydrocephalus may be found by chance, or may produce only subtle effects. (Historically, "occult hydrocephalus" was a term applied to what is now often called normal pressure hydrocephalus, which can have gradual, easily missed symptoms.) When occult hydrocephalus is identified, doctors evaluate its significance — whether it is stable, whether it is causing subtle effects, and whether treatment would help — rather than assuming it needs intervention.
Why it matters
Understanding occult hydrocephalus helps families see that hydrocephalus can be present quietly, and that an incidental finding warrants careful evaluation to determine whether it matters and whether anything should be done.
Common questions
What is occult hydrocephalus?
Hydrocephalus without clearly apparent symptoms.
How is it found?
Sometimes incidentally on imaging.
Does it always need treatment?
Not necessarily — its significance is evaluated case by case.
Bottom line
Occult hydrocephalus is hidden, sometimes incidental hydrocephalus that warrants evaluation to determine its significance.
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