Pregnancy in Patients with Cerebrospinal Fluid Shunts: Report of a Series and Review of the Literature

Neurosurgery ◽  
1991 ◽  
Vol 29 (6) ◽  
pp. 827-831 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeffrey H. Wisoff ◽  
Kristen J. Kratzert ◽  
Sara M. Handwerker ◽  
Bruce K. Young ◽  
Fred Epstein
Keyword(s):  
Cerebrospinal Fluid ◽  
Magnetic Resonance ◽  
Neurological Complications ◽  
Magnetic Resonance Images ◽  
Reproductive Age ◽  
Shunt Revision ◽  
Cerebrospinal Fluid Shunts ◽  
Perinatal Complications ◽  
Second Stage ◽  
Shunt Obstruction

Abstract Hydrocephalic women with cerebrospinal fluid shunts are now surviving to reproductive age. Twenty-one pregnancies in 18 patients with shunts, including 11 from the present series and 10 from previous series, were analyzed for neurological, obstetrical, and perinatal outcome. Fourteen women had preexisting shunts, and 4 had the onset of symptomatic hydrocephalus and the placement of shunts during pregnancy. Neurological complications occurred in 13 of 17 (76%) pregnancies in patients with preexisting shunts, including symptoms of increased intracranial pressure (ICP) in 10 of 17 (59%) pregnancies, exacerbation of seizure disorder in 2 of 17 (12%) pregnancies, and severe headaches without increased ICD in 1 patient. In 7 of 11 (66%) of the symptomatic patients, symptoms spontaneously resolved postpartum. Four of 17 (23%) of these pregnancies were associated with shunt obstruction requiring antepartum or postpartum surgery. Four patients had a primary shunt placement, and one had a shunt revision during pregnancy without complications. There were no unusual obstetrical or perinatal complications in the series. The clinical management of pregnant patients with hydrocephalus should include preconception counseling and magnetic resonance imaging, as well as the use of serial antenatal magnetic resonance images, ICP monitoring, or the judicious use of radioisotope studies of shunt patency if signs of increased ICP appear. A cesarean section is recommended for the delivery of the neurologically unstable patient. For asymptomatic mothers, a vaginal delivery with a shortened second stage and prophylactic antibiotics are advised.

Ventriculoperitoneal Shunt Malfunction during Pregnancy

Neurosurgery ◽  
1990 ◽  
Vol 27 (6) ◽  
pp. 969-971 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael D. Cusimano ◽  
Filomena M. Meffe ◽  
Fred Gentili ◽  
Mathew Sermer
Keyword(s):  
Cerebrospinal Fluid ◽  
Ventriculoperitoneal Shunt ◽  
Reproductive Age ◽  
Shunt Malfunction ◽  
Cerebrospinal Fluid Shunts ◽  
Third Trimester ◽  
The Third ◽  
Shunt Obstruction

Abstract Many women with cerebrospinal fluid shunts are now reaching reproductive age. Shunt malfunction may occur during pregnancy, and management requires a well-planned, combined neurosurgical and obstetrical approach. We present a case of ventriculoperitoneal shunt obstruction manifesting during the third trimester managed successfully in a conservative fashion. The literature on ventriculoperitoneal shunt malfunction during pregnancy is reviewed.

Physical Examination of Patients With Cerebrospinal Fluid Shunts: Is There Useful Information in Pumping the Shunt?

PEDIATRICS ◽  
1992 ◽  
Vol 89 (3) ◽  
pp. 470-473
Author(s):  
Joseph H. Piatt
Keyword(s):  
Cerebrospinal Fluid ◽  
Physical Examination ◽  
Predictive Value ◽  
Pumping Test ◽  
Study Group ◽  
Cerebrospinal Fluid Shunts ◽  
Imaging Studies ◽  
Shunt Valve ◽  
The Status ◽  
Shunt Obstruction

To assess the value of the information derived from pumping the shunt valve in hydrocephalic patients with cerebrospinal fluid shunts, the findings on examination of 200 consecutive patients were recorded prospectively. The status of each shunt was determined on the basis of all available clinical data, and the results of the shunt pumping test were compared to the final status of each shunt for various subsets of the study group. In the most clinically pertinent subsets, the sensitivity of the shunt pumping test in the detection of shunt obstruction was 18% to 20%, and the predictive value of a negative shunt pumping test, indicating shunt patency, was only 65% to 81%. For the hydrocephalic patient with symptoms of shunt malfunction, definitive imaging studies must not be deferred because of reassuring findings on examination of the shunt valve.

Non-inflammation cerebrospinal fluid and normal brain magnetic resonance images of Autoimmune encephalits

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yake Zheng ◽  
Peng Zhao ◽  
yajun lian ◽  
Lihao Li ◽  
Yuan Chen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cerebrospinal Fluid ◽  
Magnetic Resonance ◽  
Clinical Symptoms ◽  
Brain Mri ◽  
Clinical Manifestations ◽  
Speech Disorders ◽  
Magnetic Resonance Images ◽  
Normal Brain ◽  
Recurrence Rates ◽  
Clinical Prognosis

Abstract Background We set out to investigate the characteristics and factors related to non-inflammation cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and normal brain magnetic resonance images (MRI) of autoimmune encephalitis (AE) in patients. Methods The distribution and characteristics of brain MRI and CSF in 124 patients who were living with anti-NMDAR(71), LGI1(26),CASPR2(4),GABAR(23) encephalitis and who had been admitted between October 2016 and May 2018 were analyzed prospectively. Results 12 of the 124 patients(1%) had a normal MRI and non-inflammation CSF.Ten of them were LGI1(83%),while the remaining 1 patient was NMDAR(8.3%),1 patient was CASPR2(8.3%).The clinical symptoms including epilepsy, psychosis, cognitive disorders, conscious disorders, headache, faciobrachial dystonic seizure (FBDS), speech disorders and hypoventilation. AE with non-inflammation CSF and normal MRI with good clinical prognosis. The median modified Rankin Scale (mRS) was low, and recurrence rate was also low. Conclusion The clinical manifestations of on-inflammation CSF and brain MRI-negative patients with AE are not specific, but suggest a better prognosis and a lower recurrence rates.

Cerebrospinal fluid shunt placement for pseudotumor cerebri—associated intractable headache: predictors of treatment response and an analysis of long-term outcomes

2004 ◽  
Vol 101 (4) ◽  
pp. 627-632 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthew J. Mcgirt ◽  
Graeme Woodworth ◽  
George Thomas ◽  
Neil Miller ◽  
Michael Williams ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cerebrospinal Fluid ◽  
Pseudotumor Cerebri ◽  
Shunt Revision ◽  
Csf Shunts ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Shunt Placement ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Shunt Obstruction ◽  
Fine Print

Object. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) shunts effectively reverse symptoms of pseudotumor cerebri postoperatively, but long-term outcome has not been investigated. Lumboperitoneal (LP) shunts are the mainstay of CSF shunts for pseudotumor cerebri; however, image-guided stereotaxy and neuroendoscopy now allow effective placement of a ventricular catheter without causing ventriculomegaly in these cases. To date it remains unknown if CSF shunts provide long-term relief from pseudotumor cerebri and whether a ventricular shunt is better than an LP shunt. The authors investigated these possibilities. Methods. The authors reviewed the records of all shunt placement procedures that were performed for intractable headache due to pseudotumor cerebri at one institution between 1973 and 2003. Using proportional hazards regression analysis, predictors of treatment failure (continued headache despite a properly functioning shunt) were assessed, and shunt revision and complication rates were compared between LP and ventricular (ventriculoperitoneal [VP] or ventriculoatrial [VAT]) shunts. Forty-two patients underwent 115 shunt placement procedures: 79 in which an LP shunt was used and 36 in which a VP or VAT shunt was used. Forty patients (95%) experienced a significant improvement in their headaches immediately after the shunt was inserted. Severe headache recurred despite a properly functioning shunt in eight (19%) and 20 (48%) patients by 12 and 36 months, respectively, after the initial shunt placement surgery. Seventeen patients without papilledema and 19 patients in whom preoperative symptoms had occurred for longer than 2 years experienced recurrent headache, making patients with papilledema or long-term symptoms fivefold (relative risk [RR] 5.2, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.5–17.8; p < 0.01) or 2.5-fold (RR 2.51, 95% CI 1.01–9.39; p = 0.05) more likely to experience headache recurrence, respectively. In contrast to VP or VAT shunts, LP shunts were associated with a 2.5-fold increased risk of shunt revision (RR 2.5, 95% CI 1.5–4.3; p < 0.001) due to a threefold increased risk of shunt obstruction (RR 3, 95% CI 1.5–5.7; p < 0.005), but there were similar risks between the two types of shunts for overdrainage (RR 2.3, 95% CI 0.8–7.9; p = 0.22), distal catheter migration (RR 2.1, 95% CI 0.3–19.3; p = 0.55), and shunt infection (RR 1.3, 95% CI 0.3–13.2; p = 0.75). Conclusions. Based on their 30-year experience in the treatment of these patients, the authors found that CSF shunts were extremely effective in the acute treatment of pseudotumor cerebri—associated intractable headache, providing long-term relief in the majority of patients. Lack of papilledema and long-standing symptoms were risk factors for treatment failure. The use of ventricular shunts for pseudotumor cerebri was associated with a lower risk of shunt obstruction and revision than the use of LP shunts. Using ventricular shunts in patients with papilledema or symptoms lasting less than 2 years should be considered for those with pseudotumor cerebri—associated intractable headache.

Cerebrospinal fluid edema associated with shunt obstruction

1994 ◽  
Vol 81 (2) ◽  
pp. 179-183 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hiroaki Sakamoto ◽  
Ken Fujitani ◽  
Shouhei Kitano ◽  
Keiji Murata ◽  
Akira Hakuba
Keyword(s):  
Cerebrospinal Fluid ◽  
Subcortical White Matter ◽  
Shunt Revision ◽  
Csf Shunt ◽  
Limited Area ◽  
Ventricular Catheter ◽  
Small Lesion ◽  
Rapid Improvement ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Shunt Obstruction

✓ The authors report four hydrocephalic children with cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) edema extending along the ventricular catheter of an obstructed CSF shunt. Three of the patients exhibited massive CSF edema along the ventricular catheter, yet they manifested neither ventricular enlargement nor apparent periventricular CSF edema despite increased intraventricular pressure. These findings suggested ventricular tautness. The remaining patient, who had dilated ventricles with periventricular CSF edema, displayed CSF edema in a limited area along the ventricular catheter. Replacement of the obstructed peritoneal catheter of the shunt resulted in rapid improvement of the edema in all patients. In the three patients with massive CSF edema, however, a small lesion remained in the subcortical white matter along the ventricular catheter as demonstrated by computerized tomography and/or magnetic resonance imaging 3 to 5 years after shunt revision. It is concluded that shunt obstruction may result in massive CSF edema along the ventricular catheter in hydrocephalic children who have ventricular tautness after installation of the shunt causing irreversible although usually asymptomatic damage to the affected area of the brain.

scholarly journals Modular Redundancy for Cerebrospinal Fluid Shunts: Reducing Incidence of Failure due to Catheter Obstruction

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tom Viker ◽  
Jim Stice
Keyword(s):  
Cerebrospinal Fluid ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Shunt Revision ◽  
Csf Shunt ◽  
Cerebrospinal Fluid Shunts ◽  
Distal Catheter ◽  
Catheter Occlusion ◽  
Single Lumen ◽  
Catheter Obstruction ◽  
Lumen Catheter

Cerebrospinal fluid shunts for the treatment of hydrocephalus fail at a rate of 40% within the first year. The importance of this problem is supported by one institution’s analysis of neurosurgical 30-day readmissions with CSF shunt failure only second to brain tumor readmissions. Hospital shunt related costs have been estimated at $1.4 to $2 billion annually. The majority of these costs are attributable to shunt failures based on the number of revisions out of the total numbers of annual shunt procedures. The technical innovation of this project is a low cost, low risk and easy to implement CSF shunt design change compatible with current protocols. The proposed product is an innovative distal catheter to minimize the need for revision surgery due to obstruction (also referred to as occlusion). This is accomplished with a dual lumen catheter (current distal catheters are single lumen) consisting of a primary lumen and a secondary lumen providing redundant functionality in the event ofprimary lumen occlusion thereby eliminating the need for surgical shunt revision. 40% of shunts fail within the year after implant and distal catheter obstruction accounts for up to 24% of failures. Though less prevalent than proximal catheter occlusion, incidence of distal catheter occlusion is significant and improved reliability would reduce costs and improve patient outcomes by lowering the number of revisions.

Determination of cerebrospinal fluid shunt obstruction with magnetic resonance phase imaging

1991 ◽  
Vol 75 (4) ◽  
pp. 535-540 ◽  
Author(s):  
James M. Drake ◽  
Alastair J. Martin ◽  
R. Mark Henkleman
Keyword(s):  
Cerebrospinal Fluid ◽  
Magnetic Resonance ◽  
Pulse Sequence ◽  
Csf Shunt ◽  
Phase Imaging ◽  
Flow Rates ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Patients Âgés ◽  
Shunt Obstruction

✓ The cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) flow rates in 12 patients with symptoms suggestive of CSF shunt obstruction were measured with magnetic resonance (MR) phase imaging. The shunts were imaged over the skull, just distal to any reservoir, using a curved surface coil. Images perpendicular to the direction of flow were made on a 1.5-tesla clinical unit with a flow-sensitive pulse sequence. The patients' ages ranged from 2 months to 28 years. All patients had ancillary investigations to determine the functional status of the shunt. No flow was detected in seven patients with blocked shunts. Flow rates between 3 and 40 cc/hr were found in three patients with functioning shunts. Two patients, one with a blocked shunt and one with a functioning shunt, could not be imaged due to motion artifact. Magnetic resonance phase imaging is a promising technique in the determination of CSF shunt obstruction.

Influence of Lumbosacral Cerebrospinal Fluid Density, Velocity, and Volume on Extent and Duration of Plain Bupivacaine Spinal Anesthesia

2004 ◽  
Vol 100 (1) ◽  
pp. 106-114 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hideyuki Higuchi ◽  
Jyun-ichi Hirata ◽  
Yushi Adachi ◽  
Tomiei Kazama
Keyword(s):  
Cerebrospinal Fluid ◽  
Magnetic Resonance ◽  
Spinal Anesthesia ◽  
Onset Time ◽  
Inverse Correlation ◽  
Sensory Block ◽  
Magnetic Resonance Images ◽  
Spinal Block ◽  
Linear Regression Models ◽  
Block Level

Background The current study was designed to investigate the influence of lumbosacral cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) density, velocity, and volume on the extent and duration of plain bupivacaine spinal anesthesia. Methods Forty-one patients scheduled to undergo orthopedic surgery with spinal block were enrolled. Lumbosacral CSF volumes were calculated from low thoracic, lumbar, and sacral axial magnetic resonance images. CSF velocity at the L3-L4 level was derived from phase-contrast magnetic resonance images. Spinal anesthesia was performed in the lateral decubitus position. CSF (2 ml) was sampled to measure CSF density before injection of 3 ml plain bupivacaine (0.5%). Statistical correlation coefficients (rho) between CSF characteristics and measurements of spinal anesthesia were assessed by Spearman rank correlation. In addition, stepwise multiple linear regression models were used to select important predictors of measures of spinal anesthesia. Results There was a significant correlation between CSF density and peak sensory block level (rho = 0.33, P = 0.034). Lumbosacral CSF volume inversely correlated with peak sensory block level (rho = -0.65, P &lt; 0.0001) and positively correlated with onset time of complete motor block (rho = 0.42, P = 0.008). CSF volume also inversely correlated with time required for regression of the sensory block to L1 (rho = -0.35, P = 0.026) and L2 (rho = -0.33, P = 0.039). There was a significant inverse correlation between peak diastolic CSF velocity and duration of motor blockade (rho = -0.44, P = 0.005). Multiple regression analysis revealed that weight and CSF volume significantly contributed to the peak sensory block level (R2 = 0.46). Conclusions These findings indicate that CSF density and volume influence the spread of spinal anesthesia with plain bupivacaine and that CSF volume also influences the duration of spinal anesthesia. CSF velocity might also influence the duration of plain bupivacaine spinal anesthesia.

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