A clinical survey of hydrocephalus and current treatment for hydrocephalus in Japan: analysis by nationwide questionnaire.
We analyzed current treatment for hydrocephalus in Japan by means of a nationwide questionnaire. Ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunting was the most common form of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) shunting, and in 66% of cases the ventricular catheter was inserted via the anterior horn. Various types of flow-control valves were used in 46% of CSF shunting procedures, and the proportion of cases in which such valves are used seems to be increasing. The Codman-Hakim valve was used most frequently, followed by the Sophy valve. The initial pressure setting of programmable pressure valves was selected in 82% of institutes on the basis of the CSF pressure obtained during the shunt operation. Most flow-control valves were implanted in the retroauricular region; however, Sophy valves were implanted in the chest wall in a high percentage of cases. The rate of shunt complications was significantly lower among VP shunt cases with flow-control valves than in those without flow-control valves. The most common cause of shunt complications was trouble with the abdominal catheter. These results will contribute to progress in the treatment for hydrocephalus.
Miyake
H
H
Department of Neurosurgery, Osaka Medical College, Daigakucho 2-7, Takatsuki city, Osaka, 569-8686 Japan. neu033@poh.osaka-med.ac.jp
Ohta
T
T
Kajimoto
Y
Y
Ogawa
D
D
D000328:Adult; D002557:Cerebrospinal Fluid Shunts / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation; D003625:Data Collection; D006801:Humans; D006849:Hydrocephalus / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D007223:Infant; D007564:Japan; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D017287:Ventriculoperitoneal Shunt / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation