Hydrocephalus is diagnosed through a neurological evaluation and by using cranial imaging techniques.
The following imaging techniques may be used to evaluate the possibility of hydrocephalus:
- Computed tomography (CT) scanning used to assess the size of cranial ventricles and other structures
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) used to assess the size of cranial ventricles and other structures
- MRI cine – a special MRI technique that estimates the flow of CSF from one ventricle to the next
- Ultrasonography to assess for hemorrhage or progression of infant hydrocephalus