Recanalization of Obstructed Cerebrospinal Fluid Ventricular Catheters Using Ultrasonic Cavitation

Abstract OBJECTIVE: Fifty percent of implanted cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) shunts fail within 2 years, primarily because of obstruction of the proximal catheter. Percutaneous techniques to reduce the morbidity of shunt revision are being developed. The authors describe the development of a device that uses ultrasonic cavitation to unblock ventricular catheters. METHODS: In collaboration with Cybersonics, Inc. (Erie, PA), we designed, built, and tested a system that produces low-frequency ultrasound (20–28 kHz). Extensional ultrasonic waves are transmitted along a tapered wire (final diameter, approximately 0.8 mm) to the tip, where cavitation is produced in a highly localized region. An in vitro model of sheep choroid plexus occluding typical ventricular catheters was developed. The device was safety tested in vivo in rat and pig brains by introducing the device into shunt catheters inserted during simulated shunt surgery. A clinical safety trial using the device to attempt to remove blocked and adherent ventricular catheters has commenced. RESULTS: In the sheep choroid plexus model, at least 90% of the occluded holes were unblocked in a few minutes, restoring normal flow. There was no adverse effect of the device within shunt catheters inserted into live animal brains. Four patients have undergone treatment with the device at open CSF shunt surgery without adverse effect, and the device seems effective at unblocking and freeing the occluded catheters. CONCLUSION: Ultrasonic cavitation produced at the end of a fine wire that is introduced percutaneously into a CSF shunt promises to be a useful technique for minimally invasive proximal ventricular CSF shunt catheter revision.

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Current epidemiology of cerebrospinal fluid shunt surgery in the UK and Ireland (2004–2013)

Journal of Neurology Neurosurgery & Psychiatry ◽

10.1136/jnnp-2018-319927 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 90 (7) ◽

pp. 747-754 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Rocío Fernández-Méndez ◽

Hugh K Richards ◽

Helen M Seeley ◽

John D Pickard ◽

Alexis J Joannides

Keyword(s):

Cerebrospinal Fluid ◽

Intraventricular Haemorrhage ◽

Normal Pressure ◽

Incidence Rates ◽

Shunt Revision ◽

Csf Shunt ◽

First Year ◽

Shunt Surgery ◽

Potential Risks ◽

The Uk

ObjectivesTo determine current epidemiology and clinical characteristics of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) shunt surgery, including revisions.MethodsA retrospective, multicentre, registry-based study was conducted based on 10 years’ data from the UK Shunt Registry, including primary and revision shunting procedures reported between 2004 and 2013. Incidence rates of primary shunts, descriptive statistics and shunt revision rates were calculated stratified by age group, geographical region and year of operation.Results41 036 procedures in 26 545 patients were submitted during the study period, including 3002 infants, 4389 children and 18 668 adults. Procedures included 20 947 (51.0%) primary shunt insertions in 20 947 patients, and 20 089 (49.0%) revision procedures. Incidence rates of primary shunt insertions for infants, children and adults were 39.5, 2.4 and 3.5 shunts per 100 000 person-years, respectively. These varied by geographical subregion and year of operation. The most common underlying diagnoses were perinatal intraventricular haemorrhage (35.3%) and malformations (33.9%) in infants, tumours (40.5%) and malformations (16.3%) in children, and tumours (24.6%), post-haemorrhagic hydrocephalus (16.2%) and idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus (14.2%) in adults. Ninety-day revision rates were 21.9%, 18.6% and 12.8% among infants, children and adults, respectively, while first-year revision rates were 31.0%, 25.2% and 17.4%. The main reasons for revision were underdrainage and infection, but overdrainage and mechanical failure continue to pose problems.ConclusionsOur report informs patients, carers, clinicians, providers and commissioners of healthcare, researchers and industry of the current epidemiology of shunting for CSF disorders, including the potential risks of complications and frequency of revision.

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Cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers of neuroinflammation in children with hydrocephalus and shunt malfunction

Fluids and Barriers of the CNS ◽

10.1186/s12987-021-00237-4 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Carolyn A. Harris ◽

Diego M. Morales ◽

Rooshan Arshad ◽

James P. McAllister ◽

David D. Limbrick

Keyword(s):

Cerebrospinal Fluid ◽

Inflammatory Cytokines ◽

Protein Concentration ◽

Shunt Revision ◽

Csf Shunt ◽

Shunt Failure ◽

Revision Operation ◽

Protein Levels ◽

Anti Inflammatory ◽

Pro Inflammatory Cytokines

Abstract Background Approximately 30% of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) shunt systems for hydrocephalus fail within the first year and 98% of all patients will have shunt failure in their lifetime. Obstruction remains the most common reason for shunt failure. Previous evidence suggests elevated pro-inflammatory cytokines in CSF are associated with worsening clinical outcomes in neuroinflammatory diseases. The aim of this study was to determine whether cytokines and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) contribute towards shunt failure in hydrocephalus. Methods Using multiplex ELISA, this study examined shunt failure through the CSF protein concentration profiles of select pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines, as well as select MMPs. Interdependencies such as the past number of previous revisions, length of time implanted, patient age, and obstruction or non-obstruction revision were examined. The pro-inflammatory cytokines were IL-1β, IL-2, IL-5, IL-6, IL-8, IL-12, IL-17, TNF-α, GM-CSF, IFN-γ. The anti-inflammatory cytokines were IL-4 and IL-10, and the MMPs were MMP-2, MMP-3, MMP-7, MMP-9. Protein concentration is reported as pg/mL for each analyte. Results Patient CSF was obtained at the time of shunt revision operation; all pediatric (< 18), totaling n = 38. IL-10, IL-6, IL-8 and MMP-7 demonstrated significantly increased concentrations in patient CSF for the non-obstructed subgroup. Etiological examination revealed IL-6 was increased in both obstructed and non-obstructed cases for PHH and congenital hydrocephalic patients, while IL-8 was higher only in PHH patients. In terms of number of past revisions, IL-10, IL-6, IL-8, MMP-7 and MMP-9 progressively increased from zero to two past revisions and then remained low for subsequent revisions. This presentation was notably absent in the obstruction subgroup. Shunts implanted for three months or less showed significantly increased concentrations of IL-6, IL-8, and MMP-7 in the obstruction subgroup. Lastly, only patients aged six months or less presented with significantly increased concentration of IL-8 and MMP-7. Conclusion Non-obstructive cases are reported here to accompany significantly higher CSF cytokine and MMP protein levels compared to obstructive cases for IL-10, IL-6, IL-8, MMP-7 and MMP-9. A closer examination of the definition of obstruction and the role neuroinflammation plays in creating shunt obstruction in hydrocephalic patients is suggested.

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

Journal of Neurosurgery ◽

10.3171/jns.2004.101.4.0627 ◽

2004 ◽

Vol 101 (4) ◽

pp. 627-632 ◽

Cited By ~ 152

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.

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Cerebrospinal fluid edema associated with shunt obstruction

Journal of Neurosurgery ◽

10.3171/jns.1994.81.2.0179 ◽

1994 ◽

Vol 81 (2) ◽

pp. 179-183 ◽

Cited By ~ 13

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.

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

2019 Design of Medical Devices Conference ◽

10.1115/dmd2019-3291 ◽

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.

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Morbidity of Ventricular Cerebrospinal Fluid Shunt Surgery in Adults: An 8-Year Study

Neurosurgery ◽

10.1227/neu.0b013e318208f360 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 68 (4) ◽

pp. 985-995 ◽

Cited By ~ 57

Author(s):

Anne-Marie Korinek ◽

Laurence Fulla-Oller ◽

Anne-Laure Boch ◽

Jean-Louis Golmard ◽

Bassem Hadiji ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Cerebrospinal Fluid ◽

Operating Time ◽

Shunt Infection ◽

Csf Leak ◽

Csf Shunt ◽

High Morbidity ◽

Neurosurgical Procedures ◽

Shunt Surgery ◽

Shunt Placement

Abstract BACKGROUND: Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) shunt procedures have dramatically reduced the morbidity and mortality rates associated with hydrocephalus. However, despite improvements in materials, devices, and surgical techniques, shunt failure and complications remain common and may require multiple surgical procedures. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate CSF shunt complication incidence and factors that may be associated with increased shunt dysfunction and infection rates in adults. METHODS: From January 1999 to December 2006, we conducted a prospective surveillance program for all neurosurgical procedures including reoperations and infections. Patients undergoing CSF shunt placement were retrospectively identified among patients labeled in the database as having a shunt as a primary or secondary intervention. Revisions of shunts implanted in another hospital or before the study period were excluded, as well as lumbo- or cyst-peritoneal shunts. Shunt complications were classified as mechanical dysfunction or infection. Follow-up was at least 2 years. Potential risk factors were evaluated using log-rank tests and stepwise Cox regression models. RESULTS: During the 8-year surveillance period, a total of 14 275 patients underwent neurosurgical procedures, including 839 who underwent shunt placement. One hundred nineteen patients were excluded, leaving 720 study patients. Mechanical dysfunction occurred in 124 patients (17.2%) and shunt infection in 44 patients (6.1%). These 168 patients required 375 reoperations. Risk factors for mechanical dysfunction were atrial shunt, greater number of previous external ventriculostomies, and male sex; risk factors for shunt infection were previous CSF leak, previous revisions for dysfunction, surgical incision after 10 am, and longer operating time. CONCLUSION: Shunt surgery still carries a high morbidity rate, with a mean of 2.2 reoperations per patient in 23.3% of patients. Our risk-factor data suggest methods for decreasing shunt-related morbidity, including peritoneal routing whenever possible and special attention to preventing CSF leaks after craniotomy or external ventriculostomy.

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The necessity of shunt series

Journal of Neurosurgery Pediatrics ◽

10.3171/2010.8.peds09557 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 6 (5) ◽

pp. 468-473 ◽

Cited By ~ 13

Author(s):

Michael Vassilyadi ◽

Zac L. Tataryn ◽

Fahad Alkherayf ◽

Kristin Udjus ◽

Enrique C. G. Ventureyra

Keyword(s):

Cerebrospinal fluid shunt operations without cranial bandaging

Journal of Neurosurgery Pediatrics ◽

10.3171/2009.2.peds08296 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 3 (6) ◽

pp. 511-515 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Ken R. Winston ◽

Elizabeth Trinidad ◽

C. Corbett Wilkinson ◽

Lori A. McBride

Keyword(s):

Cerebrospinal Fluid ◽

Revision Surgery ◽

Healthcare Workers ◽

Age Distribution ◽

Csf Shunt ◽

Csf Shunts ◽

Shunt Insertion ◽

Shunt Implantation ◽

Clean Contaminated ◽

Antibiotic Ointment

Object Cranial bandages are commonly applied over scalp incisions immediately after cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) shunt surgery, putatively to prevent complications, particularly infection. These bandages require resources, consume the time of healthcare workers, and incur non-negligible expenses. It is therefore both reasonable and important to examine the efficacy of cranial bandaging. Methods The combined experience of 3 neurosurgeons over 6.75 years with using no cranial bandaging after operations for implantation or revision of CSF shunts is the basis of this report. These data were prospectively accrued and retrospectively analyzed. Results The infection rate was 4.2% (95% CI 3.1–5.6%) for 1064 operations performed without postoperative cranial bandaging after either shunt insertion or revision surgery through clean or clean-contaminated wounds. The age distribution extended from premature infants through adults 77 years of age. Conclusions The results of this investigation support the position that bandaging scalp wounds after CSF shunt implantation or revision surgery adds no benefit beyond the easier, simpler, faster, and cheaper practice of using antibiotic ointment as a dressing without bandaging.

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Role of endoscopic third ventriculostomy at infected cerebrospinal fluid shunt removal

Journal of Neurosurgery Pediatrics ◽

10.3171/2011.12.peds11229 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 9 (3) ◽

pp. 320-326 ◽

Cited By ~ 18

Author(s):

Tomohisa Shimizu ◽

Mark G. Luciano ◽

Toru Fukuhara

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Cerebrospinal Fluid ◽

Endoscopic Third Ventriculostomy ◽

Shunt Infection ◽

Secondary Outcome ◽

Csf Shunt ◽

Third Ventriculostomy ◽

Cerebrospinal Fluid Shunt ◽

Csf Shunts ◽

Shunt Removal

Object Cerebrospinal fluid shunt infection is distressing, especially in the pediatric population. Usually, infected CSF shunts are removed, and after temporary external CSF drainage, reinsertion of the CSF shunt is necessary. Unfortunately, it is not rare to encounter CSF reinfection after shunt renewal, and furthermore, the reinserted CSF shunt is at a considerable risk of malfunction. Endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV) is a potent option in managing CSF shunt infection, although ETV failure may occur more frequently when it is used to remove an infected shunt. The authors retrospectively evaluated CSF reinfection after using ETV during removal of infected CSF shunts; then the longevity of ETV and of successive reinserted ventriculoperitoneal shunts (VPSs) after ETV failure were also examined. Methods Children with shunted hydrocephalus were retrospectively reviewed, and data on their initial CSF shunt infections were extracted. Thirty-six children underwent VPS reinsertion (the VPS group), and 9 underwent ETV after removal of the infected CSF shunt (the ETV group). As the primary outcome, ETV efficacy against CSF reinfection within 6 months was analyzed by comparing the reinfection rates, and the risk factors for CSF reinfection were analyzed by logistic regression. The longevity of the reinserted shunt in the VPS group was calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method, which was compared with ETV longevity as the secondary outcome, and also with the longevity of reinserted VPSs in the ETV group after ETV failure as the tertiary outcome. Results Reinfection of CSF was seen in 27.8% of children in the VPS group. Among 9 children in the ETV group, only 1 (11.1%) had CSF reinfection. However, logistic regression analysis failed to show that performing ETV was a significant factor protecting against CSF reinfection: the significant risk factors were younger age at reinsertion of VPS or ETV (p = 0.037) and a history of shunt revisions (p = 0.011). The longevity of reinserted VPSs in the VPS group was calculated to be 658 ± 166.3 days (mean ± SE). Longevity of ETV was compared in the analysis of the secondary outcome, which was 929.2 ± 511.1 days, and there were no significant differences between these durations. Only 2 ETVs stayed patent, and a VPS was eventually implanted in the other 7 children. The longevity of this reinserted VPS in the ETV group, calculated based on these 7 children, was 2011.1 ± 540.7 days, which was confirmed to be longer than that in the VPS group (p = 0.031). Conclusions Although the protective effect of using ETV during removal of an infected CSF shunt on reinfection is marginal, the ETV longevity can be considered equivalent to that of reinserted VPSs. Even if ETV failure occurs, the reinserted VPS has significantly better longevity than a VPS reinserted without using ETV, and use of ETV during infected CSF shunt removal can be considered a potent alternative or at least an adjunct to VPS reinsertion.

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Serum and Cerebrospinal Fluid Vancomycin and Gentamicin Concentrations during Ventriculoperitoneal Shunt Surgery: An Observational Study

Journal of Pharmacy Technology ◽

10.1177/875512250001600411 ◽

2000 ◽

Vol 16 (4) ◽

pp. 155-160 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Walter J Faillace ◽

Paul Tan

Keyword(s):

Cerebrospinal Fluid ◽

Observational Study ◽

Infection Rate ◽

Ventriculoperitoneal Shunt ◽

Control Measures ◽

University Hospital ◽

Csf Shunt ◽

Shunt Surgery ◽

Serum Concentrations ◽

Period Range

Background: Ventriculoperitoneal shunts become infected predominantly during surgery. Optimal antibiotic prophylaxis during cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) shunt surgery has not been fully determined. Objective: To quantitate the concentrations of vancomycin and gentamicin in the serum and CSF during 100 ventriculoperitoneal shunt surgeries at the time of shunt manipulation. Design: Descriptive, prospective, observational study with a 27- to 76-month postoperative follow-up period range. Setting: University hospital. Patients: Eighty-three hydrocephalic patients ranging from premature to adult ages. Interventions: Intraoperatively, children received intravenous vancomycin 15 mg/kg/dose and gentamicin 2.5 mg/kg/dose; adults received vancomycin 1 g/dose and gentamicin 1.5 mg/kg/dose. Antibiotics were continued for 24 hours postoperatively, with dosage and schedule adjusted for age. Antibiotic serum and CSF concentrations were sampled one hour after infusion, and measured via fluorescence polarization immunoassay. Meticulous surgical infection control measures were followed. Main Outcome Measures: Correlation of intraoperative serum and CSF antibiotic concentrations with postoperative infection rate. Results: Intraoperative vancomycin serum concentrations ranged from 10.8 to 53.8 μg/mL (28.0 ± 9.5 μg/mL, mean ± SD). Intraoperative gentamicin serum concentrations ranged from 3.9 to 9.4 μg/mL (4.8 ± 2.0 μg/mL). In all surgeries, intraoperative CSF vancomycin and gentamicin concentrations were low (vancomycin <5 μg/mL, gentamicin <2 μg/mL). The infection rate among surgeries was 2.0%, and the infection rate among patients was 2.4%. Two shunt infections occurred, one with Candida albicans and one with Citrobacter freundii. Conclusions: Serum concentrations of vancomycin and gentamicin were above the minimum inhibitory concentrations for likely pathogens in 84% and 74% of surgeries, respectively. Intraoperative bacteriostatic and bactericidal CSF antibiotic concentrations may not be necessary to achieve a low postoperative shunt infection rate. Larger confirmatory studies are needed.

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