title: Telemetric Intracranial Pressure Monitoring with the Raumedic Neurovent P-tel.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Devices enabling long-term intracranial pressure monitoring have been demanded for some time. The first solutions using telemetry were proposed in 1967. Since then, many other wireless systems have followed but some technical restrictions have led to unacceptable measurement uncertainties. In 2009, a completely revised telemetric pressure device called Neurovent P-tel was introduced to the market. This report reviews technical aspects, handling, possibilities of data analysis, and the efficiency of the probe in clinical routine.
  
  
  METHODS
  The telemetric device consists of 3 main parts: the passive implant, the active antenna, and the storage monitor. The implant with its parenchymal pressure transducer is inserted via a frontal burr hole. Pressure values can be registered with a frequency of 1 Hz or 5 Hz. Telemetrically gathered data can be viewed on the storage monitor or saved on a computer for detailed analyses. A total of 247 patients with suspected (n = 123) or known (n = 124) intracranial pressure disorders underwent insertion of the telemetric pressure probe.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A detailed analysis of the long-term intracranial pressure profile including mean values, maximum and negative peaks, pathologic slow waves, and pulse pressure amplitudes is feasible using the detection rate of 5 Hz. This enables the verification of suspected diagnoses as normal-pressure hydrocephalus, benign intracranial hypertension, shunt malfunction, or shunt overdrainage. Long-term application also facilitates postoperative surveillance and supports valve adjustments of shunt-treated patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The presented telemetric measurement system is a valuable and effective diagnostic tool in selected cases.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Saarland University Medical Center and Saarland University Faculty of Medicine, Homburg/Saar, Germany. Electronic address: sebastian.antes@uks.eu.
authors.forename: Sebastian
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Antes
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Saarland University Medical Center and Saarland University Faculty of Medicine, Homburg/Saar, Germany.
authors.forename: Christoph A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Tschan
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Saarland University Medical Center and Saarland University Faculty of Medicine, Homburg/Saar, Germany.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Heckelmann
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Saarland University Medical Center and Saarland University Faculty of Medicine, Homburg/Saar, Germany.
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Breuskin
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Saarland University Medical Center and Saarland University Faculty of Medicine, Homburg/Saar, Germany.
authors.forename: Joachim
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Oertel
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002557:Cerebrospinal Fluid Shunts; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006849:Hydrocephalus / Q000175:diagnosis*; D019586:Intracranial Hypertension / Q000175:diagnosis*; D007427:Intracranial Pressure / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008991:Monitoring, Physiologic / Q000295:instrumentation*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013686:Telemetry / Q000295:instrumentation*; D014160:Transducers, Pressure; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Hydrocephalus; Intracranial pressure; P-tel; Telemetric ICP measurement; Telemetry