Hydrocephalus and shunts in children with brain tumors.
Children with brain tumors are at risk for developing hydrocephalus necessitating placement of a permanent shunt catheter. As comprehensive, interdisciplinary, multispecialty care is required for these patients, the pediatric oncology nurse must become knowledgeable about caring for children with a shunt. This article focuses on the care of the pediatric neuro-oncology patient requiring shunting for hydrocephalus, including a review of cerebrospinal fluid flow and hydrocephalus, determinants of shunt placement, complications of ventriculoperitoneal shunts, and nursing considerations.
D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000150:complications*; D002557:Cerebrospinal Fluid Shunts / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000451:nursing; D002648:Child; D004868:Equipment Failure; D006801:Humans; D006849:Hydrocephalus / Q000209:etiology / Q000451:nursing / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D017599:Neuroectodermal Tumors / Q000150:complications*; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D017287:Ventriculoperitoneal Shunt / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000451:nursing