[Adjustable shunt system for the treatment of intracranial cerebrospinal fluid collections. Analysis of a series of 50 cases].
OBJECTIVE
The objective of this work is to evaluate the results of a draining valve of the cerebrospinal fluid, whose opening pressure is transcutaneously adjustable, in the treatment of intracranial collections.


METHODS
A series of 50 operated patients is retrospectively reviewed. Forty-four patients are treated for hydrocephalus of variable causes and six patients for arachnoidal cysts. Offering eight opening pressures, the adjustable valve Sophy was used in all these patients. The mean follow-up is of 48 months.


RESULTS
Nineteen patients (38%) needed an adjustment of their valve's opening pressure. This adjustment was achieved to higher levels in seven patients presenting with overdrainage and to lower levels in twelve patients presenting with underdrainage. In 4 patients a subdural collection was observed and treated. Six patients underwent a second surgery for infection or obstruction. Taking all etiologies into consideration, and after the adjustment of the valve's opening pressure, 40 patients had a positive clinical result (obvious amelioration of the symptomatology), ten patients did not improve.


CONCLUSIONS
The valve Sophy provides a simple solution for the patients in whom it is difficult to choose an adapted opening pressure, it particularly allows to avoid a reintervention when this is rendered necessary by a hypo or a hyper drainage programmable valve.
Rizk
Tony
T
Service de Neurochirurgie, Hôpital Hôtel-Dieu de France, Beyrouth. tonirisk@hotmail.com
Abi Lahoud
Georges
G
Hourany
Roula
R
Jabbour
Pascal
P
Samaha
Elie
E
Nohra
Georges
G
Moussa
Ronald
R
Okais
Nabil
N
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D016080:Arachnoid Cysts / Q000601:surgery*; D015170:Cerebrospinal Fluid Pressure; D002557:Cerebrospinal Fluid Shunts / Q000295:instrumentation*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D006849:Hydrocephalus / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors