Evaluation of the lumbar and ventricular infusion test in the diagnostic strategy of pediatric hydrocephalus and the therapeutic implications.
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.
Munch
Tina Noergaard
TN
University Clinic of Neurosurgery, Department 2092, The Neuroscience Centre, Rigshospitalet, 2100, Copenhagen, Denmark. doktormunch@hotmail.com
Bech-Azeddine
Rachid
R
Boegeskov
Lars
L
Gjerris
Flemming
F
Juhler
Marianne
M
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