A flow-regulating device to control differential pressure in CSF shunt systems. Technical note.
A method of regulating flow rate through cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) shunts with the addition of a flow-regulating device (FRD) is reported. The FRD consists of a small-caliber (0.4 mm) Teflon tube placed in the usual connector. This device has the advantage of converting the original shunt valves to valves for higher-resistance flow without replacing the entire distal catheter. An experimental study revealed that this device reduced the CSF flow rate in the shunt by approximately 30%. The author has found it reliable in 32 patients, without causing CSF obstruction. The device is easily installed and removed.
D000328:Adult; D002404:Catheterization; D002557:Cerebrospinal Fluid Shunts / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D002648:Child; D006408:Hematoma, Subdural / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D006849:Hydrocephalus / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy; D007223:Infant; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed