title: A nonradiographic system for assessing pressure for the Codman-Hakim Programmable Valve.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA.
authors.forename: Nancy Olsen
authors.initials: NO
authors.lastname: Bailey
authors.forename: Mark
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Luciano
authors.forename: Michael V
authors.initials: MV
authors.lastname: Ward
authors.forename: Sean
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lilienfeld
authors.forename: William N
authors.initials: WN
authors.lastname: Anderson
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Black
mesh_terms: 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