title: Clinical testing of CSF circulation.
abstract: Since shunting is almost a purely mechanical treatment that radically affects pressure-volume compensation, patients' cerebrospinal fluid hydrodynamics compensation should be examined before a shunt is implanted. Apart from an opening pressure and a resistance to cerebrospinal fluid outflow, pulse amplitude of intracranial pressure and the content of vasogenic waves are useful to gauge cerebrospinal fluid dynamics. Infusion studies, although invasive, may help with the decision about surgery. They also provide basic information for further management of shunted patients, when complications, such as shunt blockage, under- and over-drainage, arise.
authors.affiliation: Addenbrooke's Hospital, Academic Neurosurgery, Cambridge, UK. zc200@medschl.cam.ac.uk
authors.forename: Z
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Czosnyka
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Czosnyka
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lavinio
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Keong
authors.forename: J D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Pickard
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000465:Algorithms; D015170:Cerebrospinal Fluid Pressure; D002557:Cerebrospinal Fluid Shunts / Q000295:instrumentation*; D002560:Cerebrovascular Circulation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006850:Hydrocephalus, Normal Pressure / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid / Q000175:diagnosis; D007427:Intracranial Pressure; D009422:Nervous System Diseases / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid / Q000175:diagnosis; D011312:Pressure; D012815:Signal Processing, Computer-Assisted; D012984:Software; D013997:Time Factors