Hydrocephalus
What the FAA's documents say about hydrocephalus, in plain words, with the FAA's own words one press away.
FAA term: Hydrocephalus (With or Without Shunt)Covers: All classes
Show the FAA's words: which classes the FAA's table covers
HYDROCEPHALUS (With or Without Shunt) All Classes
- Row A says if associated with a seizure, see the corresponding section, and that an additional recovery period may apply. Crosscheck has a page on seizures and epilepsy, written from the FAA's Seizure and Epilepsy tables.
- Row A says if associated with a brain tumor, see the corresponding section. Crosscheck has a page on brain tumor, written from the FAA's Brain Tumor disposition table.
- Row A says if associated with a brain bleed, see the corresponding section. Crosscheck has a page on brain bleed, written from the FAA's Brain Bleed disposition table.
Short version
The disposition table has two rows.
| Situation | What the examiner does | Pathway |
|---|---|---|
| Row AWith shunt placement | Defers to the FAA | Special Issuance |
| Row BWithout shunt placement, such as normal pressure hydrocephalus | Defers to the FAA | Special Issuance |
Show the FAA's words: the FAA's table for Hydrocephalus
- Row A · Special Issuance
Hydrocephalus with shunt placement. After a two (2) year symptom-free recovery period, the table lists what to submit for FAA review, and the examiner defers and submits the information to the FAA for a possible Special Issuance.
A. With shunt placement … After a two (2) year symptom-free recovery period, submit the following for FAA review: … DEFER Submit the information to the FAA for a possible Special Issuance.
- Row B · Special Issuance
Hydrocephalus without shunt placement (such as normal pressure hydrocephalus). The table lists what to submit for FAA review, and the examiner defers and submits the information to the FAA for a possible Special Issuance.
B. Without shunt placement … (such as normal pressure hydrocephalus) … Submit the following for FAA review: … DEFER … Submit the information to the FAA for a possible Special Issuance.
- A note on the table, 1
Row A says if associated with a seizure, brain tumor, or brain bleed, see the corresponding section, and an additional recovery period may apply.
If associated with a seizure, brain tumor, or brain bleed – see the corresponding section. An additional recovery period may apply.
The FAA pathways for hydrocephalus
Which one describes yours?
The FAA's table sorts it these ways. Choose yours to see its plan.
Your step-by-step plan
Step 1: Row A: the neurological evaluation
With shunt placement, after a two-year symptom-free recovery period.Neurological evaluation
Within 90 days before the examA current, detailed neurological evaluation that meets FAA Specifications for Neurologic Evaluation, from a clinic visit with your treating neurologist no more than 90 days before the exam.
The reason for the shunt, and whether it is functional
Row A's next paragraph: it must specifically include the reason a shunt was placed and if the shunt is functional or non-functional.
Show the FAA's words: Row A: the neurological evaluation
A current, detailed neurological evaluation that meets FAA Specifications for Neurologic Evaluation generated from a clinic visit with the treating neurologist no more than 90 days before the AME exam.
FAA source: Hydrocephalus. FAA date 25 January 2023; checked by Crosscheck 14 October 2026.
It must specifically include the reason a shunt was placed and if the shunt is functional or non-functional.
FAA source: Hydrocephalus. FAA date 25 January 2023; checked by Crosscheck 14 October 2026.
After a two (2) year symptom-free recovery period, submit the following for FAA review:
FAA source: Hydrocephalus. FAA date 25 January 2023; checked by Crosscheck 14 October 2026.
Step 2: Row A: the shunt series CT or MRI brain
Performed no more than 12 months before the exam.A shunt series CT or MRI brain performed no more than 12 months before the exam.
How it is sent
- Both the report and a copy of the images on CD in DICOM readable format, with a 'DICOMDIR' in the root directory of the CD-ROM
- The CD verified to display the images before sending
- Copies of all CDs or image (as printed) retained, as a safeguard if lost in the mail
Show the FAA's words: Row A: the shunt series CT or MRI brain
Shunt series CT or MRI brain performed no more than 12 months before the AME exam. Include both the report and a copy of the images on compact disc (CD) in DICOM readable format. (There MUST be a 'DICOMDIR' in the root directory of the CD-ROM). Please verify the CD will display the images before sending. Retain copies of all CDs or image as a safeguard if lost in the mail.
FAA source: Hydrocephalus. FAA date 25 January 2023; checked by Crosscheck 14 October 2026.
Step 3: If the FAA asks for more
For Row A, after a review of the above information.May be required after a review of the above information.
May be required after a review of the above information.
A neuropsychological (NP) evaluation in accordance with the FAA Specifications for Neuropsychological Evaluations for Potential Neurocognitive Impairment.
Show the FAA's words: If the FAA asks for more
Note: After a review of the above information and due to the condition which caused the need for the shunt, a Neuropsychological (NP) evaluation in accordance with the FAA Specifications for Neuropsychological Evaluations for Potential Neurocognitive Impairment may be required.
FAA source: Hydrocephalus. FAA date 25 January 2023; checked by Crosscheck 14 October 2026.
Step 4: A seizure, brain tumor, or brain bleed
Where Row A's note points.Row A says if associated with a seizure, brain tumor, or brain bleed, see the corresponding section. An additional recovery period may apply.
Show the FAA's words: A seizure, brain tumor, or brain bleed
If associated with a seizure, brain tumor, or brain bleed – see the corresponding section. An additional recovery period may apply.
FAA source: Hydrocephalus. FAA date 25 January 2023; checked by Crosscheck 14 October 2026.
Step 5: See your AME
After a two (2) year symptom-free recovery period, the table lists what to submit for FAA review, and the examiner defers and submits the information to the FAA for a possible Special Issuance.Exam day- After a two (2) year symptom-free recovery period, the table lists what to submit for FAA review, and the examiner defers and submits the information to the FAA for a possible Special Issuance.
Show the FAA's words: See your AME
A. With shunt placement
After a two (2) year symptom-free recovery period, submit the following for FAA review:
DEFER Submit the information to the FAA for a possible Special Issuance.
FAA source: Hydrocephalus. FAA date 25 January 2023; checked by Crosscheck 14 October 2026.
What the examiner checks
It depends on which row of the FAA's table describes the case.
Row ADefers to the FAASpecial Issuance
After a two (2) year symptom-free recovery period, the table lists what to submit for FAA review, and the examiner defers and submits the information to the FAA for a possible Special Issuance.
If the examiner defersRow BDefers to the FAASpecial Issuance
The table lists what to submit for FAA review, and the examiner defers and submits the information to the FAA for a possible Special Issuance.
If the examiner defers
Show the FAA's words: what the examiner does on each row
- Row A · Special Issuance
Hydrocephalus with shunt placement. After a two (2) year symptom-free recovery period, the table lists what to submit for FAA review, and the examiner defers and submits the information to the FAA for a possible Special Issuance.
A. With shunt placement … After a two (2) year symptom-free recovery period, submit the following for FAA review: … DEFER Submit the information to the FAA for a possible Special Issuance.
- Row B · Special Issuance
Hydrocephalus without shunt placement (such as normal pressure hydrocephalus). The table lists what to submit for FAA review, and the examiner defers and submits the information to the FAA for a possible Special Issuance.
B. Without shunt placement … (such as normal pressure hydrocephalus) … Submit the following for FAA review: … DEFER … Submit the information to the FAA for a possible Special Issuance.
If the examiner defersSpecial Issuance
The table marks Row A, with shunt placement, DEFER after a two (2) year symptom-free recovery period.
The table marks Row B, without shunt placement (such as normal pressure hydrocephalus), DEFER.
Show the FAA's words: if the examiner defers
When the examiner defers
- Reason 1
The table marks Row A, with shunt placement, DEFER after a two (2) year symptom-free recovery period.
A. With shunt placement … After a two (2) year symptom-free recovery period, submit the following for FAA review: … DEFER Submit the information to the FAA for a possible Special Issuance.
- Reason 2
The table marks Row B, without shunt placement (such as normal pressure hydrocephalus), DEFER.
B. Without shunt placement … (such as normal pressure hydrocephalus) … DEFER … Submit the information to the FAA for a possible Special Issuance.
What a Special Issuance is
The Guide says an Authorization for Special Issuance, valid for a specified period, may be granted at the Federal Air Surgeon's discretion to a person who does not meet the established medical standards, if the person shows to the satisfaction of the Federal Air Surgeon that the duties authorized by the class of certificate applied for can be performed without endangering public safety during the period the Authorization would be in force.
How the FAA pathways workGood to know
Points from the FAA's own documents that are easy to miss.
The reason for the shunt, and whether it is functional
Row A reads, as a paragraph of its own after the neurological evaluation, that it must specifically include the reason a shunt was placed and if the shunt is functional or non-functional. The row does not say what "it" refers to.
Show the FAA's words: good to know, 1
It must specifically include the reason a shunt was placed and if the shunt is functional or non-functional.
The two rows date the imaging differently
Row A's shunt series CT or MRI brain is from no more than 12 months before the exam. Row B's MRI and/or CT of the brain is from no more than 90 days before the exam.
Show the FAA's words: good to know, 2
Shunt series CT or MRI brain performed no more than 12 months before the AME exam. … 2. MRI and/or CT of the brain performed no more than 90 days before the AME exam.
Row A's recovery period is symptom-free
For Row A the table's recovery period is two (2) years, and symptom-free, before what it lists is submitted for FAA review.
Show the FAA's words: good to know, 3
After a two (2) year symptom-free recovery period, submit the following for FAA review:
A seizure, brain tumor, or brain bleed has its own section
Row A says if associated with a seizure, brain tumor, or brain bleed, see the corresponding section, and an additional recovery period may apply.
Show the FAA's words: good to know, 4
If associated with a seizure, brain tumor, or brain bleed – see the corresponding section. An additional recovery period may apply.
FAA sources
Every FAA document this page relies on, with the FAA's own date and the date Crosscheck last read it. The documents to print open at the FAA, so they are always the FAA's current ones.
This reports what the FAA has published. It is not medical advice, and it does not say how the FAA or an examiner will decide a case.