title: Evaluation of the lumbar and ventricular infusion test in the diagnostic strategy of pediatric hydrocephalus and the therapeutic implications.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the infusion test as a diagnostic tool behind the choice of intervention in pediatric hydrocephalus.
  
  
  METHODS
  Intracranial pressure (ICP) measurement and infusion test were performed intraventricularly, by lumbar route, or combined in 40 consecutive children as a part of the standard diagnostic program in 1996-1999.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The median age was 18.5 months, ranging from 2 weeks to 13 years. In the subgroup of patients with radiological aqueductal stenosis (N=14), mean lumbar/intraventricular ICP was 13 (3-35)/10 (2-27). Mean lumbar/ventricular R(out) were 18 (4-49)/17 (6-37). For patients with radiological communication between the third and fourth ventricles (N=14), the mean lumbar/intraventricular ICP was 11 (7-17)/9 (1-16). Mean lumbar/ventricular R(out) were 8 (3-11)/8 (4-12). A total of 13 patients had a shunt insertion, 10 had an endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV), 5 had endoscopic fenestration of a cyst, and 12 had no surgery. Of the patients initially treated with EVT, 50% had a shunt insertion shortly after. For communicating hydrocephalus, 75% of the patients initially not operated based on normal R(out) values ended up having a shunt insertion.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  R(out) has doubtful value as an indicator for conducting an operation or not and in the choice between EVT and shunt in children. This should be interpreted in the light of a growing understanding of hydrocephalus on a molecular level.
authors.affiliation: University Clinic of Neurosurgery, Department 2092, The Neuroscience Centre, Rigshospitalet, 2100, Copenhagen, Denmark. doktormunch@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Tina Noergaard
authors.initials: TN
authors.lastname: Munch
authors.forename: Rachid
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Bech-Azeddine
authors.forename: Lars
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Boegeskov
authors.forename: Flemming
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Gjerris
authors.forename: Marianne
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Juhler
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002552:Cerebral Ventricles / Q000502:physiology; D002555:Cerebrospinal Fluid / Q000502:physiology*; D015170:Cerebrospinal Fluid Pressure / Q000502:physiology*; D002557:Cerebrospinal Fluid Shunts; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D019411:Clinical Laboratory Techniques; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006849:Hydrocephalus / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy*; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008161:Lumbosacral Region; D008297:Male; D014696:Ventriculostomy