A simple method of assessing intracranial pressure in hydrocephalic patients with shunts.
A simple method is described for assessing intracranial pressure in patients with Holter valves when the function is questionable. The method entails measuring intravalvular pressure by puncturing the valve belly with a fine needle connected to a manometer. High pressure suggests a distal occlusion; very low pressure coupled with difficulty in aspirating CSF suggests a proximal occlusion. All pressures have to be corrected by the addition of a factor equal to half the pressure specification of the valve. The results of a pilot study support these conclusions.
D000293:Adolescent; D002557:Cerebrospinal Fluid Shunts / Q000592:standards*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006849:Hydrocephalus / Q000601:surgery*; D007427:Intracranial Pressure; D008297:Male; D008365:Manometry / Q000379:methods; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000175:diagnosis; D012008:Recurrence