title: Management of hydrocephalus around the world.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The objective of this study is to review the management of hydrocephalus and, in particular, how different economic and social conditions affect its treatment around the world.
  
  
  METHODS
  The main techniques for the surgical treatment and the management of hydrocephalus have been retraced through a brief historical overview up to the present day.
  
  
  RESULTS
  During the last century, continuous technological progress has favored the diffusion of expensive and sophisticated shunt systems. On the other hand, the advent of minimally invasive endoscopic techniques, such as endoscopic third ventriculostomy, seems to represent a valid route for attempting a natural cerebrospinal fluid diversion, thus avoiding complications related to shunt failure.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The management of hydrocephalus around the world is still widely debated. However, definition of proper indications and adequate training in neuroendoscopic techniques seem to represent the preeminent trend for new generations of neurosurgeons.
authors.affiliation: Division of Neurosurgery, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, Naples, Italy. vitastagno@yahoo.it
authors.forename: Vita
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Stagno
authors.forename: Esperanza Arcas
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Navarrete
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Mirone
authors.forename: Felice
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Esposito
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D002648:Child; D004724:Endoscopy / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D006849:Hydrocephalus / Q000601:surgery*; D019060:Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods; D044583:Neuroendoscopy / Q000379:methods; D019635:Neurosurgical Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D020542:Third Ventricle / Q000601:surgery; D017211:Treatment Failure; D017287:Ventriculoperitoneal Shunt; D014696:Ventriculostomy