A nonradiographic system for assessing pressure for the Codman-Hakim Programmable Valve.
BACKGROUND
The Codman-Hakim Programmable Valve is widely used in shunting hydrocephalus and other conditions.


OBJECTIVE
To establish an accurate valve verification system for the Codman-Hakim programmable valve that does not require radiographic exposure.


METHODS
Prospective clinical trial tested a new valve verification system at 9 research sites.


RESULTS
The Valve Programming and Verification System allowed us to establish the valve setting in 62% of subjects with a programmable valve.


CONCLUSIONS
The Valve Programming and Verification System avoids radiation exposure, is cost-effective, and time efficient for the patient and provider. In approximately one third of subjects, those in whom "adjustment complete" is not achieved, cranial radiographs are still needed.
Bailey
Nancy Olsen
NO
Department of Neurosurgery, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA.
Luciano
Mark
M
Ward
Michael V
MV
Lilienfeld
Sean
S
Anderson
William N
WN
Black
Peter
P
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002557:Cerebrospinal Fluid Shunts / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006849:Hydrocephalus / Q000145:classification / Q000601:surgery*; D007223:Infant; D007427:Intracranial Pressure / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012984:Software; D013673:Technology Assessment, Biomedical / Q000379:methods; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult