Opinion: September is Hydrocephalus Awareness Month. How much do you know about this life-threatening condition?

Hydrocephalus occurs when excess cerebrospinal fluid accumulates in cavities of the brain. The only known treatment is brain surgery, which often involves implanting a device called a shunt in the head to drain the excess fluid. Unfortunately, shunts are prone to failure over time, thereby requiring surgical replacements. According to the Hydrocephalus Association, over 36,000 shunt surgeries are performed each year, averaging to one every fifteen minutes and making it the most common reason for brain surgery in children.