scholarly journals Suprahepatic space as an alternative site for distal catheter insertion in pseudocyst-associated ventriculoperitoneal shunt malfunction

2020 ◽  
Vol 26 (3) ◽  
pp. 247-254
Author(s):  
Zohreh Habibi ◽  
Mehdi Golpayegani ◽  
Bahar Ashjaei ◽  
Keyvan Tayebi Meybodi ◽  
Farideh Nejat
Keyword(s):  
Catheter Insertion ◽  
Shunt Malfunction ◽  
Shunt Revision ◽  
Ventricular Catheter ◽  
Distal Catheter ◽  
Safe Place ◽  
Catheter Malfunction ◽  
Shunt Removal ◽  
Pseudocyst Formation

OBJECTIVEDistal catheter malfunction due to pseudocyst formation or intraabdominal adhesion is a significant problem, especially in pediatric patients who have limited sites for distal catheter insertion. In this study, the authors present a series of 12 patients with intractable distal shunt malfunctions due to peritoneal pseudocyst formation who underwent distal catheter replacement in the suprahepatic space to reduce the risk of distal catheter malfunction.METHODSTwelve consecutive patients with shunt malfunction due to pseudocyst formation who had undergone ventriculosuprahepatic shunting from 2014 to 2019 were identified. According to medical records, after primary evaluations, shunt removal, and antibiotic therapy, they underwent revision surgeries with placement of a distal catheter into the suprahepatic space.RESULTSNine boys and 3 girls, ranging in age from 5 months to 14 years, with one or more episodes of pseudocyst formation, underwent shunt revision with placement of a distal catheter into the suprahepatic space. After a median follow-up of 31 months, none of the patients experienced further distal malfunction.CONCLUSIONSThe suprahepatic space appears to be a safe place to secure the distal end of a ventricular catheter following pseudocyst formation, with less risk of re-adhesion. This lower risk might be attributable to the lack of omentum in the suprahepatic space.

Radiographic assessment of snap-shunt failure

2010 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. 299-302 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anand I. Rughani ◽  
Bruce I. Tranmer ◽  
Jeffrey E. Florman ◽  
James T. Wilson
Keyword(s):  
Normal Values ◽  
Clinical Symptoms ◽  
Type System ◽  
Shunt Malfunction ◽  
Ct Scans ◽  
Shunt Revision ◽  
Ventricular Catheter ◽  
Shunt Failure ◽  
Shunt System ◽  
Ct Finding

Accurate assessment of imaging studies in patients with ventriculoperitoneal shunts can be aided by empirical findings. The authors characterize an objective measurement easily performed on head CT scans with the goal of producing clear evidence of shunt fracture or disconnection in patients with a snap shunt–type system. The authors describe 2 cases of ventriculoperitoneal shunt failure involving a fracture and a disconnection associated with a snap-shunt assembly. In both cases the initial clinical symptoms were not convincing for shunt malfunction, and the interpretation of the CT finding failed to immediately identify the abnormality. As the clinical picture became more convincing for shunt malfunction, each patient subsequently underwent successful shunt revision. The authors reviewed the CT scans of 10 patients with an intact and functioning snap-shunt system to characterize the normal appearance of the snap-shunt connection. On CT scans the distance between the radiopaque portion of the ventricular catheter and the radiopaque portion of the reservoir dome measures an average of 4.72 mm (range 4.6–4.9 mm, 95% CI 4.63–4.81 mm). In the authors' patient with a fractured ventricular catheter, this interval measured 7.8 mm, and in the patient with a disconnection it measured 7.7 mm. In comparison with the range of normal values, a radiolucent interval significantly greater than 4.9 mm should promptly raise concern for a disconnected or fractured shunt in this system. This measurement may prove particularly useful when serial imaging is not readily available.

scholarly journals Shunt malfunction and endoscopy

2021 ◽  
Vol 3 (1(January-April)) ◽  
pp. e792021
Author(s):  
Bermans Iskandar ◽  
Ricardo de Amoreira Gepp
Keyword(s):  
Obstructive Hydrocephalus ◽  
Pediatric Neurosurgery ◽  
Shunt Malfunction ◽  
Surrounding Tissue ◽  
Shunt Revision ◽  
Third Ventriculostomy ◽  
Ventricular Catheter ◽  
Ventricular Wall ◽  
Optimal Position ◽  
Slit Ventricle Syndrome

Objective:   Hydrocephalus is the most common neurological disease in pediatric neurosurgery.(1) The CSF shunts remains as the most common treatment choice for nonobstructive hydrocephalus worldwide, but shunt complications still the most common neurosurgical problem, especially in pediatric neurosurgery. Endoscopy and shunts are the way to treat hydrocephalus. Especially third ventriculostomy is the most effective treatment to obstructive hydrocephalus but shunt still the most important way to treat.(2, 3) Shunt malfunction is frequent and after so many years this is very important problem to the patients. Ventricular problem due to obstruction is responsible up to 72% of shunt problems.(4) The Shunt Trial Study showed that the overall shunt survival was 62% at 1 year, 52% at 2 years, 46% at 3 years, 41% at 4 years. The survival curves for the 3 differents valves were similar to those from the original trial and did not show a survival advantage for any particular valve.(5, 6) We still don´t have one perfect solution to hydrocephalus and shunt malfunction. The major author described his experience in use endoscopy to evaluate and treat shunt malfunction and one new approach and way to evaluate this problem.   Results/Discussion: The literature review was performed, and we found 84 articles when we used the keywords. Endoscopy has been one important way to treat and solve shunt problems. In obstructive hydrocephalus third ventriculostomy is the best way to treat these patients.(1-3) The major author first described goals of endoscopy. First goal is safe catheter removal in surgical review, avoiding bleeding when removing catheter addressing all the adhesions on catheter. Second goal is put in optimal position the new catheter with pure endoscopy view or using neuronavigation systems that could help the endoscope system.(7, 8)   Optimal new catheter placement and optimal long-term catheter survival are especially important because most of the problems are due to ventricular problems. These good placements could avoid loculations and ventricular collapse with ependymal problems. Avoid new catheter malpositiitioning, you can use the endoscope to follow the old tract to insert the new catheter in one good position avoiding choroid plexus. Another situation is when you have small ventricles especially in slit ventricle syndrome.   The major author has been studied some causes to ventricular catheter obstruction. He noticed after some surgical reviews some ventricular ependymal inside catheter. Ventricular ependymal protrusions inside the catheter could cause intermittent occlusion.(8) Some endoscope views showed these protrusion and ependymal changes after intermittent increase and decrease of ventricular pressure. These protrusions correspond to catheter holes a secondary to suction. These protrusions could stuck in the holes in chronicle suction.(8) The major author reported one endoscopic evidence of overdrainage-related ventricular tissue protrusions that cause partial or complete obstruction of the ventricular catheter. He did a retrospective review in fifty patients underwent 83 endoscopic shunt revision procedures that revealed in-growth of ventricular wall tissue into the catheter tip orifices (ependymal bands), producing partial, complete, or intermittent shunt obstructions. Endoscopic ventricular explorations revealed ependymal bands at various stages of development, which appear to form secondarily to siphoning.(8) How to minimize this overshunting? Anti siphon systems could help and decrease proximal shunt malfunction in some complex patients. The other problem is ventricular bleeding. The use of endoscope has been important tool to remove ventricular catheters, when you could see the adhesions.(9) The use the endoscope could be particularly important to open loculations and cysts avoiding ventricular entrapment. Patients with ventricular cysts could need more than one catheter. The use of endoscopy to fenestrate the cyst could keep the patient with one catheter or without any shunt system.(10, 11)   Conclusion: Shunt malfunction has a lot of possible causes, but a probably ventricular catheter problem is the most common situation. Choose appropriate endoscope rigid or flexible for each case could help to treat and avoid some of ventricular. Endoscopy could be one important tool to help the surgeon to understand and solve this dangerous situation to the patient. Ventricular wall protrusions are a significant cause of proximal shunt obstruction, and they appear to be caused by siphoning of surrounding tissue into the ventricular catheter orifices.

Using a burr hole valve prevents proximal shunt failure in infants and toddlers

2019 ◽  
Vol 24 (3) ◽  
pp. 315-322
Author(s):  
Chiu-Hao Hsu ◽  
Sheng-Che Chou ◽  
Shih-Hung Yang ◽  
Ming-Chieh Shih ◽  
Meng-Fai Kuo
Keyword(s):  
Protective Factor ◽  
Catheter Insertion ◽  
Burr Hole ◽  
Ventricular Catheter ◽  
Shunt Failure ◽  
Shunt Insertion ◽  
Vp Shunt ◽  
Catheter Migration ◽  
The Mean

OBJECTIVEProximal malfunction is the most common cause of ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt failure in young children. In this study, the authors sought to determine factors that affect the migration rate of ventricular catheters in hydrocephalic children who undergo shunt implantation in the first 3 years of life.METHODSThe authors reviewed the medical records and imaging studies of newly diagnosed and treated hydrocephalic children who were younger than 3 years. Patients who received VP shunt insertion through the parieto-occipital route were not included. In total, 78 patients were found who underwent VP shunt insertion between December 2006 and April 2017. Eighteen patients were excluded due to mortality, short follow-up period (< 1 year), and lack of imaging follow-up. The age, sex, etiology of hydrocephalus, initial length of ventricular catheter, valve type (burr hole vs non–burr hole), time to ventricular catheter migration, subsequent revision surgery, and follow-up period were analyzed. The diagnosis of a migrated ventricular catheter was made when serial imaging follow-up showed progressive withdrawal of the catheter tip from the ventricle, with the catheter shorter than 4 mm inside the ventricle, or progressive deviation of the ventricular catheter toward the midline or anterior ventricular wall.RESULTSSixty patients were enrolled. The mean age was 5.1 months (range 1–30 months). The mean follow-up period was 50.9 months (range 13–91 months). Eight patients had ventricular catheter migration, and in 7 of these 8 patients a non–burr hole valve was used. In the nonmigration group, a non–burr hole valve was used in only 6 of the 52 patients. Six of the 8 patients with catheter migration needed second surgeries, which included removal of the shunt due to disconnection in 1 patient. The remaining 2 patients with shunt migration were followed for 91 and 46 months, respectively, without clinical and imaging changes. The authors found that patient age at catheter insertion, ventricular catheter length, and the use of a burr hole valve were protective factors against migration. After ventricular catheter length and patient age at catheter insertion were treated as confounding variables and adjusted with multivariable Weibull proportional hazards regression, the use of a burr hole valve shunt remained a protective factor.CONCLUSIONSThe use of burr hole valves is a protective factor against ventricular catheter migration when the shunt is inserted via a frontal route. The authors suggest the use of a burr hole valve along with a frontal entry point in hydrocephalic children younger than 3 years to maintain long-term shunt function.

Prevention of ventricular catheter obstruction and slit ventricle syndrome by the prophylactic use of the Integra antisiphon device in shunt therapy for pediatric hypertensive hydrocephalus: a 25-year follow-up study

2010 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 4-16 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rolf W. Gruber ◽  
Bernd Roehrig
Keyword(s):  
High Rate ◽  
Ventricular Catheter ◽  
Shunt System ◽  
Distal Catheter ◽  
Slit Ventricle Syndrome ◽  
Follow Up Study ◽  
Catheter Obstruction ◽  
Slit Ventricle ◽  
Antisiphon Device

Object This 25-year follow-up study was performed on 120 children with hypertensive hydrocephalus to evaluate the influence of the early prophylactic implantation of the Integra antisiphon device (ASD, Integra Neurosciences Ltd.) on the rate of proximal shunt obstructions and the frequency of symptomatic slit ventricle syndrome (SVS). The adaptability of the ASD to growth, proper positioning of the ASD as a necessity for its successful performance, and the 3 phases of SVS development are discussed. Method Since 1978, the ASD has consistently been implanted either at the time of primary shunt insertion (66 neonates, mean follow-up 11 years) or during revisions of preexisting shunts (54 children, mean follow-up 11.8 years). The complication rate among the 54 children before ASD implantation (mean follow-up 8.3 years) was compared with that among all 120 patients once an ASD had been inserted. Shunt complications were documented as ventricular catheter, distal catheter, and infectious complications. Results The study revealed a significant long-term reduction in ventricular catheter obstructions and hospitalizations due to intermittent intracranial hypertension symptoms (symptomatic SVS) after both primary and secondary ASD implantation. Data in the study suggest that the high rate of ventricular catheter obstruction in pediatric shunt therapy is caused by hydrostatic suction induced by differential-pressure valve shunts during mobilization of the patient and that the development of a SVS can be traced back to this constant suction, which causes chronic CSF overdrainage and ventricular noncompliance. Recurrent ventricular catheter obstruction and SVS can be prevented by prophylactic supplementation of every shunt system with an ASD. Conclusions To inhibit chronic hydrostatic suction, to prevent overdrainage and proximal shunt obstruction, and to avoid SVS and thus improve the patient's quality of life, the prophylactic implantation of an ASD in every pediatric hydrocephalus shunt is recommended.

A Novel Technique for Distal Shunt Revision: Retrospective Analysis of Guidewire-Assisted Distal Catheter Replacement

2015 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 367-370
Author(s):  
Eric A Sribnick ◽  
Frederick H Sklar ◽  
David M Wrubel
Keyword(s):  
Ventriculoperitoneal Shunt ◽  
Postoperative Outcome ◽  
Late Complications ◽  
Shunt Malfunction ◽  
Shunt Revision ◽  
Seldinger Technique ◽  
Entry Site ◽  
Common Procedure ◽  
Distal Catheter ◽  
Catheter Replacement

Abstract BACKGROUND Ventriculoperitoneal shunt revision is a common procedure. Disconnection and fracture of the distal catheter remain a common cause of ventriculoperitoneal shunt malfunction. OBJECTIVE To describe a novel procedure for peritoneal replacement of the distal catheter by using a guidewire and a modified Seldinger technique (guidewire-assisted distal catheter replacement) and retrospectively evaluate the results of the surgical procedure. METHODS Between September 2005 and December 2013, 68 patients were treated by a single surgeon (DMW) with distal catheter replacement using our technique. In brief, the previously placed distal catheter was exposed at its entry site into the abdomen. A soft guidewire with hydrophilic coating was inserted down the distal catheter into the peritoneum. The distal catheter was then removed over the guidewire, leaving the guidewire in place. A peel-away sheath and dilator were then inserted over the guidewire, and the dilator and guidewire were removed. The new distal catheter was then passed from the valve to the abdomen and was then fed through the peel-away sheath into the peritoneum. Charts were retrospectively reviewed for preoperative presentation, operative technique, and postoperative outcome. Records were specifically examined for any early or late complications. RESULTS The mean patient age at surgery was 13 years. No immediate acute complications were noted. Of the 68 total patients, 45 patients had more than 6 months of follow-up. Of the 68 patients, 7 patients required another distal revision after guidewire-assisted distal catheter replacement. CONCLUSION Distal shunt malfunction due to a mechanical failure is a common reason for shunt revision. We describe a technique for guidewire-assisted distal catheter replacement.

scholarly journals Ventriculoperitoneal Shunt assisted by Neuroendoscopy

2018 ◽  
Vol 22 (3) ◽  
pp. 100-103
Author(s):  
Flávio Ramalho Romero
Keyword(s):  
Ventriculoperitoneal Shunt ◽  
Intraventricular Hemorrhage ◽  
Shunt Revision ◽  
Ventricular Catheter ◽  
Communicating Hydrocephalus ◽  
Common Cause ◽  
Vp Shunt ◽  
Endoscopic View ◽  
Catheter Location

Object. We present our experience in ventriculoperitoneal shunt assisted by neuroendoscopy. Methods. Thirty-six patients with new communicating hydrocephalus were selected to VP shunt placement assisted by neuroendoscopy. Postoperative computerized tomography (CT) was performed in the first day in all patients and ventricular catheter location was analysed. A follow up of 12 months was performed and results showed. Results. Mean patient age at implantation was 57 ± 13.59 years (range, 16-77). There was a slight preponderance of males (22 patients, 61%). The most common cause for shunt surgery was hemorrhage (20 patients, 55%), including  subarachnoid hemorrhage (14 patients, 39%), and intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) or intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) (5 patients, 16%). Posttraumatic hydrocephalus followed as a secondary cause (11 patients 31.5%). During the period covered by thestudy, 8 valves were revised, thereby meeting the criteria for shunt failure endpoint. The most common cause for shunt revision was underdrainage in 5 patients, followed by infection in 2 patients, and overdrainage in 1 patient. None of them had proximal obstruction and in all cases, the ventricular catheter was well located. Conclusions. Endoscopic view can be used to place the ventricular catheter in a good position inside the ventricular system. 

Vascular collateralization along ventriculoperitoneal shunt catheters in moyamoya disease

2013 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 710-712 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amit Singla ◽  
Ning Lin ◽  
Allen L. Ho ◽  
R. Michael Scott ◽  
Edward R. Smith
Keyword(s):  
Blood Supply ◽  
Moyamoya Disease ◽  
Shunt Malfunction ◽  
Shunt Revision ◽  
Ventricular Catheter ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Diagnostic Angiography ◽  
Subsequent Revision ◽  
Collateral Vessels ◽  
Clinical Records

Surgically created openings such as bur holes can serve as avenues for the development of collateral blood supply to the brain in patients with moyamoya disease. When such collateralization occurs through preexisting shunt catheter sites, the potential exists for perioperative stroke if these vessels are damaged during revision of a ventricular catheter for shunt malfunction. In this paper the authors report on a series of patients with a history of ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunts who later developed moyamoya disease and were found to have spontaneous transdural collateral vessels at ventricular catheter sites readily visualized on diagnostic angiography. A consecutive surgical series of 412 patients with moyamoya disease treated at Boston Children's Hospital from 1990 to 2010 were reviewed to identify patients with concomitant moyamoya and a VP shunt. The clinical records and angiograms of these patients were reviewed to determine the extent of bur hole collaterals through the shunt site. Three patients were identified who had VP shunts placed for hydrocephalus and subsequently developed moyamoya disease. All 3 patients demonstrated spontaneous transdural collaterals at the ventricular catheter bur hole, as confirmed by angiography during the workup for moyamoya disease. No patients required subsequent revision of their ventricular catheters following the diagnosis of moyamoya. All patients have remained stroke free and clinically stable following pial synangiosis. Although the association of moyamoya and shunted hydrocephalus is rare, it may present a significant potential problem for the neurosurgeon treating a shunt malfunction in this patient population, because shunt bur holes may become entry sites for the ingrowth of significant cortical transdural collateral blood supply to the underlying brain. Shunt revision might therefore be associated with an increased risk of postoperative stroke or operative-site hemorrhage in this population if this vascularization is interrupted when shunt catheters are removed and replaced. A knowledge of the existence of shunt-related collaterals in patients with moyamoya may aid the surgeon in planning shunt revisions and considering, for example, a new entry point for a ventricular catheter, rather than replacing an existing one, to minimize the risk of jeopardizing existing collaterals.

Increased risk of distal ventriculoperitoneal shunt obstruction associated with slit valves or distal slits in the peritoneal catheter

1997 ◽  
Vol 87 (5) ◽  
pp. 682-686 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeffrey W. Cozzens ◽  
James P. Chandler
Keyword(s):  
Shunt Revision ◽  
Ventricular Catheter ◽  
Peritoneal Catheter ◽  
Distal Catheter ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Vp Shunt ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Catheter Obstruction ◽  
Shunt Obstruction ◽  
Fine Print

✓ The authors describe a relationship between the presence of distal shunt catheter side-wall slits and distal catheter obstruction in a single-surgeon series of ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt revisions. Between 1985 and 1996, 168 operations for VP shunt revision were performed by the senior author (J.W.C.) in 71 patients. Indications for shunt revision included obstruction in 140 operations; overdrainage or underdrainage requiring a change of valve in 17 operations; inadequate length of distal shunt tubing resulting in the distal end no longer reaching the peritoneum in five operations; the ventricular catheter in the wrong ventricle or space, requiring repositioning in five operations; and a disconnected or broken shunt in one operation. Of the 140 instances of shunt obstruction, the blockage occurred at the ventricular end in 108 instances (77.1%), the peritoneal end in 17 (12.1%), the ventricular and the peritoneal end in 14 (10%), and in the valve mechanism (not including distal slit valves) in one (0.8%). Thus, the peritoneal end was obstructed in 31 (22.1%) of 140 cases of shunt malfunction. In every case in which the peritoneal end was obstructed, some form of distal slit was found: either a distal slit valve in an otherwise closed catheter or slits in the side of an open catheter. No instances were found of distal peritoneal catheter obstruction when the peritoneal catheter was a simple open-ended tube with no accompanying side slits (0 of 55). It is concluded that side slits in the distal peritoneal catheters of VP shunts are associated with a greater incidence of distal shunt obstruction.

scholarly journals P1152USE OF URGENT START PERITONEAL DIALYSIS IN END STAGE RENAL DISEASE PATIENTS: A RETROSPECTIVE ANALYSIS IN A NORTH-INDIAN POPULATION

2020 ◽  
Vol 35 (Supplement_3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Manzoor Parry ◽  
MASTAKIM AHMED MAZUMDER ◽  
Shahzad Alam ◽  
Hamad Jeelani
Keyword(s):  
Peritoneal Dialysis ◽  
Abdominal Wall ◽  
Catheter Insertion ◽  
Renal Diseases ◽  
Central Vein ◽  
Catheter Patency ◽  
Catheter Malfunction ◽  
Catheter Failure ◽  
End Stage

Abstract Background and Aims End-stage renal diseases (ESRD) that are referred late to dialysis usually need hemodialysis via central vein catheter (CVC). Urgent start peritoneal dialysis (PD) can be used in these patients to avoid need of CVC. Catheter patency and other complications related to urgent-start PD have not been thoroughly clarified. We evaluated the clinical outcomes of urgent-start PD in a North-Indian cohort. Method In this retrospective study, we enrolled ESRD patients who were started on urgent-start PD (starting PD within 14 days after catheter insertion) in our center from January 1, 2008 to December 31, 2017, and followed them up to 10 years. Catheter failure was primary outcome of study while as secondary outcomes included short-term and long-term complications related to urgent-start PD. Results In this study882 patients (60.3% male, mean age 47.28 ± 14.1years) were enrolled. There were few peri-operative complications with significant hemorrhage seen in 2 patients. Early peritonitis occurred in 8 (0.9%) patients. Within the first month of catheter insertion, abdominal wall complications (hernia, hydrothorax, hydrocele, and leakage) occurred in 24 (2.7%) patients while as functional catheter malfunction developed in 36 (4.1%) patients. On follow-up of the patients (median 35.7 months), 32 (3.6%) patients experienced catheter failure, and 141 (15.9%) had death-censoring technique failure. Catheter patency rate at the end of 1-month, 1 -year, 3-year, and 5-year, was 98.2, 94.9, 93.1,92.4%; and technique survival rate was 99.2, 96.9, 90.2, 82.8%, respectively. Every 5-year increase in age was associated with 17% decrease of risk for catheter failure (hazard ratio [HR]: 0.83, 95%confidence interval [CI]: 0.73–0.89). Risk factors for abdominal wall complications included male sex (HR: 1.45, 95% CI: 1.03–2.1), low hemoglobin levels (HR: 0.88, 95% CI: 0.79–0.98) and diabetic nephropathy (HR: 1.65, 95% CI:1.13–2.35). Conclusion Urgent-start PD is a safe option for ESRD who need urgent dialysis to avoid CVC insertion for HD. For a successful urgent start PD programs, a well-trained PD team, catheter insertion procedure by experienced personnel, and a well-designed PD prescription and a good follow-up care is needed.

Reliability of the radiopharmaceutical shunt flow study for the detection of a CSF shunt malfunction in the presence of stable ventricular size

2020 ◽  
Vol 26 (4) ◽  
pp. 364-370
Author(s):  
Jeffrey J. Quezada ◽  
J. Gordon McComb
Keyword(s):  
Ct Scan ◽  
Operative Intervention ◽  
Shunt Malfunction ◽  
Shunt Revision ◽  
Csf Shunt ◽  
Technical Failure ◽  
Ventricular Size ◽  
Shunt Flow ◽  
Programmable Valve ◽  
Flow Study

OBJECTIVEThe authors sought to determine the reliability of a radiopharmaceutical (RP) shunt flow study for the detection of a CSF-diverting shunt malfunction in the presence of stable ventricular size.METHODSAfter the authors obtained IRB approval, all CSF RP shunt flow studies done between January 1, 2014, and January 1, 2019, in pediatric patients at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles were identified. Included in the study were only those patients in whom an MRI or CT scan was done during the hospital admission for shunt malfunction and showed no increase in ventricular size compared with the most recent prior MRI or CT scan when the patient was asymptomatic. Data recorded for analysis were patient age and sex, etiology of the hydrocephalus, shunt distal site, nonprogrammable versus programmable valve, operative findings if the shunt was revised, and follow-up findings for a minimum of 90 days after admission. The RP shunt flow study consisted of tapping the reservoir and injecting technetium-99m DTPA according to a set protocol.RESULTSThe authors identified 146 RP flow studies performed in 119 patients meeting the above criteria. Four of the 146 RP studies (3%) were nondiagnostic secondary to technical failure and were excluded from statistical analysis. Of the 112 normal flow studies, operative intervention was not undertaken in 102 (91%). The 10 (9%) remaining normal studies were performed in patients who underwent operative intervention, in which 8 patients had a proximal obstruction, 1 had a distal obstruction, and 1 patient had no obstruction. Of the 30 patients with abnormal flow studies, symptoms of shunt malfunction subsided in 9 (30%) patients and these patients did not undergo operative intervention. Of the 21 (70%) operated patients, obstruction was proximal in 9 patients and distal in 5, and for 7 patients the shunt tubing was either fractured or disconnected. Regression analysis indicated a significant association between the flow study interpretation and the odds for shunt revision (OR 27, 95% CI 10–75, p < 0.0001). No other clinical variables were significant. The sensitivity of a shunt flow study alone for detection of shunt malfunction in cases with stable ventricular size was the same as a shunt flow study plus an MRI or CT (70% vs 70%), but performing a shunt flow in addition to MRI or CT did increase the specificity from 92% to 100% and the accuracy from 87% to 94%.CONCLUSIONSRP shunt flow studies were of definite value in deciding whether to operatively intervene in patients with symptoms of shunt malfunction in whom no change in ventricular size was detected on current MRI or CT scans compared to scans obtained when the patients were asymptomatic.

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