title: Dysfunction of Holter Mini Elliptical valves caused by minor head trauma.
abstract: Two patients with implanted shunts suffered three disconnections of the shunt catheters from the valve chamber as a result of minor head trauma. In all instances a Holter Mini Elliptical valve had been used. The design of this valve may facilitate the kind of shunt dysfunction described. Suggestions are made for small changes in the shunt design or surgical procedures to obviate the vulnerability of the shunt to minor trauma.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, University of Bergen School of Medicine, Norway.
authors.forename: P H
authors.initials: PH
authors.lastname: Pedersen
authors.forename: P E
authors.initials: PE
authors.lastname: Waaler
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Wester
mesh_terms: D001254:Astrocytoma / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery; D002528:Cerebellar Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery; D002557:Cerebrospinal Fluid Shunts / Q000295:instrumentation*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004868:Equipment Failure; D016489:Head Injuries, Closed / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006801:Humans; D006849:Hydrocephalus / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D007427:Intracranial Pressure / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D010537:Peritoneum; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery; D011859:Radiography; D012086:Reoperation