Endoscopy as an adjunct to shunting for hydrocephalus.
A procedure has been developed for positioning ventricular catheters using a miniature fiberoptic endoscope. The procedure permits accurate positioning of the ventricular catheter tip without the need for intraoperative X-ray studies. The procedure has been employed 102 times in 85 children. In each case, post-operative X-ray studies revealed the ventricular catheter to be in a satisfactory position. In 79% of cases a functional shunt was established which did not require revision or further therapeutic intervention.
D002404:Catheterization / Q000379:methods; D002557:Cerebrospinal Fluid Shunts / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D002648:Child; D019723:Endoscopes; D004724:Endoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D005336:Fiber Optic Technology; D006801:Humans; D006849:Hydrocephalus / Q000601:surgery*