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Objectives To investigate whether gravitational valves reduce the risk of overdrainage complications compared with programmable valves in ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt surgery for idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus (iNPH). Background Patients with iNPH may benefit from VP shunting but are prone to overdrainage complications during posture changes. Gravitational valves with tantalum balls are considered to reduce the risk of overdrainage but their clinical effectiveness is unclear. Methods We conducted a pragmatic, randomised, multicentre trial comparing gravitational with non-gravitational programmable valves in patients with iNPH eligible for VP shunting. The primary endpoint was any clinical or radiological sign (headache, nausea, vomiting, subdural effusion or slit ventricle) of overdrainage 6 months after randomisation. We also assessed disease specific instruments (Black and Kiefer Scale) and Physical and Mental Component Scores of the Short Form 12 (SF-12) generic health questionnaire. Results We enrolled 145 patients (mean (SD) age 71.9 (6.9) years), 137 of whom were available for endpoint analysis. After 6 months, 29 patients in the standard and five patients in the gravitational shunt group developed overdrainage (risk difference −36%, 95% CI −49% to −23%; p<0.001). This difference exceeded predetermined stopping rules and resulted in premature discontinuation of patient recruitment. Disease specific outcome scales did not differ between the groups although there was a significant advantage of the gravitational device in the SF-12 Mental Component Scores at the 6 and 12 month visits. Conclusions Implanting a gravitational rather than another type of valve will avoid one additional overdrainage complication in about every third patient undergoing VP shunting for iNPH.

A randomized trial involving 100 Ugandan infants with postinfectious hydrocephalus compared endoscopic third ventriculostomy plus choroid plexus cauterization with conventional ventricular shunting and found no difference in cognitive outcomes at 1 year.

Insertion of a ventriculoperitoneal shunt for hydrocephalus is one of the commonest neurosurgical procedures worldwide. Infection of the implanted shunt affects up to 15% of these patients, resulting in prolonged hospital treatment, multiple surgeries, and reduced cognition and quality of life. Our aim was to determine the clinical and cost-effectiveness of antibiotic (rifampicin and clindamycin) or silver shunts compared with standard shunts at reducing infection. In this parallel, multicentre, single-blind, randomised controlled trial, we included patients with hydrocephalus of any aetiology undergoing insertion of their first ventriculoperitoneal shunt irrespective of age at 21 regional adult and paediatric neurosurgery centres in the UK and Ireland. Patients were randomly assigned (1:1:1 in random permuted blocks of three or six) to receive standard shunts (standard shunt group), antibiotic-impregnated (0·15% clindamycin and 0·054% rifampicin; antibiotic shunt group), or silver-impregnated shunts (silver shunt group) through a randomisation sequence generated by an independent statistician. All patients and investigators who recorded and analysed the data were masked for group assignment, which was only disclosed to the neurosurgical staff at the time of operation. Participants receiving a shunt without evidence of infection at the time of insertion were followed up for at least 6 months and a maximum of 2 years. The primary outcome was time to shunt failure due the infection and was analysed with Fine and Gray survival regression models for competing risk by intention to treat. This trial is registered with ISRCTN 49474281. Between June 26, 2013, and Oct 9, 2017, we assessed 3505 patients, of whom 1605 aged up to 91 years were randomly assigned to receive either a standard shunt (n=536), an antibiotic-impregnated shunt (n=538), or a silver shunt (n=531). 1594 had a shunt inserted without evidence of infection at the time of insertion (533 in the standard shunt group, 535 in the antibiotic shunt group, and 526 in the silver shunt group) and were followed up for a median of 22 months (IQR 10–24; 53 withdrew from follow-up). 32 (6%) of 533 evaluable patients in the standard shunt group had a shunt revision for infection, compared with 12 (2%) of 535 evaluable patients in the antibiotic shunt group (cause-specific hazard ratio [csHR] 0·38, 97·5% CI 0·18–0·80, p=0·0038) and 31 (6%) of 526 patients in the silver shunt group (0·99, 0·56–1·74, p=0·96). 135 (25%) patients in the standard shunt group, 136 (25%) in the antibiotic shunt group, and 140 (27%) in the silver shunt group had adverse events, which were not life-threatening and were mostly related to valve or catheter function. The BASICS trial provides evidence to support the adoption of antibiotic shunts in UK patients who are having their first ventriculoperitoneal shunt insertion. This practice will benefit patients of all ages by reducing the risk and harm of shunt infection. UK National Institute for Health Research Health Technology Assessment programme.

Introduction The published results of the Management of Myelomeningocele Study (MOMS) trial in 2011 showed improved outcomes (reduced need for shunting, decreased incidence of Chiari II malformation, and improved scores of mental development and motor function) in the fetal prenatal repair group compared to the postnatal group. Historically, endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV) remains as a controversial hydrocephalus treatment option with high failure rates in pediatric patients with a history of myelomeningocele (MMC). We report hydrocephalus treatment outcomes in the fetal in-utero myelomeningocele repair patients who underwent repair at our Saint Louis Fetal Care Institute following the MOMS trial. We looked carefully at ETV outcomes in this patient population and we identified risk factors for failure. Methods At our Saint Louis Fetal Care Institute, we followed the maternal and fetal inclusion and exclusion criteria used by the MOMS trial. The records of our first 60 fetal MMC repairs performed at our institute between 2011 and 2017 were examined. We retrospectively reviewed the charts, prenatal fetal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and ultrasound (US) imaging findings, postnatal brain MRI, and Bayley neurodevelopment testing results for infants and children who underwent surgical treatment of symptomatic hydrocephalus (VP shunt versus ETV). Multiple variables possibly related to ETV failure were considered for identifying risk factors for ETV failure. Results Between May 2011 and March 2017, 60 pregnant female patients underwent the prenatal MMC repair for their fetuses between 20 and 26 weeks’ gestational age (GA) utilizing the standard hysterotomy for exposure of the fetus, and microsurgical repair of the MMC defect. All MMC defects underwent successful in-utero repair, with subsequent progression of the pregnancy. At the time of this study, 58 babies have been born, 56 are alive since there were 2 mortalities in the neonatal period due to prematurity. One patient was excluded given lack of consent for research purposes. From the remaining 55 patient included in this study, a total of 30 infants and toddlers underwent treatment of hydrocephalus (ETV and VPS groups). Twenty-five patients underwent ETV (24 primary ETV and 1 after shunt failure). Nineteen patients underwent shunt placements (6 primary/13 after ETV failure). Mean GA at time of MMC repair for the ETV group was 24 + 6/7 weeks (range 22 + 4/7 to 25 + 6/7). Mean follow up for patients who had a successful ETV was 17.25 months (range 4–57 months). Bayley neurodevelopmental testing results were examined pre- and post-ETV. Overall ETV success rate was 11/24 (45.8%) at the time of this study. The total number of patients who underwent shunt placement was 19/55 (34.5%), while shunting rate was 40% in the MOMS trial. Using a simple logistic regression analysis to identify predictors of ETV failure, ETV age ≤6 months and gestational age ≥23 weeks at repair of myelomeningocele were significant predictors for ETV failure while in-utero ventricular stability ≤4 mm and in-utero ventricular size post-repair ≤15.5 mm were significant predictors for ETV success. None of the listed variables independently predicted classification into ETV success versus ETV failure groups when entered into multiple logistic regression analysis. Conclusions ETV, as an alternative to initial shunting, may continue to show promising results for treating fetal MMC repair patient population who present with symptomatic hydrocephalus during infancy and early childhood. Although our overall CSF diversion rate (ETV and VPS groups) in our fetal MMC group is higher than the MOMS trial, our shunting rate is lower given our higher incidence of patients with successful ETV. To our knowledge, this is the largest reported ETV series in patients who underwent fetal MMC repair. ETV deserves a closer look in the setting of improved hindbrain herniation in fetal in-utero MMC repair patients. In our series, young age (less than 6 months) and late GA at time of fetal MMC repair (after 23 weeks GA) were predictors for ETV failure, while in-utero stability of ventricular size (less than 4 mm) and in-utero ventricular size post-repair ≤15.5 mm were predictors for ETV success. Larger series and potential prospective randomized studies are required for further evaluation of risk factors for ETV failure in the fetal MMC patient population.

BACKGROUND:Acute hydrocephalus is a well-known sequela of aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). Controversy exists about whether open microsurgical methods serve to reduce shunt dependency compared with endovascular techniques. OBJECTIVE:To determine predictors of shunt-dependent hydrocephalus and functional outcomes after aneurysmal SAH. METHODS:A total of 471 patients who were part of a prospective, randomized, controlled trial from 2003 to 2007 were retrospectively reviewed. All variables including demographic data, medical history, treatment, imaging, and functional outcomes were included as part of the trial. No additional variables were retrospectively collected. RESULTS:Ultimately, 147 patients (31.2%) required a ventriculoperitoneal shunt (VPS) in our series. Age, dissecting aneurysm type, ruptured vertebrobasilar aneurysm, Fisher grade, Hunt and Hess grade, admission intraventricular hemorrhage, admission intraparenchymal hemorrhage, blood in the fourth ventricle on admission, perioperative ventriculostomy, and hemicraniectomy were significant risk factors (P < .05) associated with shunt-dependent hydrocephalus on univariate analysis. On multivariate analysis, intraventricular hemorrhage and intraparenchymal hemorrhage were independent risk factors for shunt dependency (P < .05). Clipping vs coiling treatment was not statistically associated with VPS after SAH on both univariate and multivariate analyses. Patients who did not receive a VPS at discharge had higher Glasgow Outcome Scale and Barthel Index scores and were more likely to be functionally independent and to return to work 72 months after surgery (P < .05). CONCLUSION:There is no difference in shunt dependency after SAH among patients treated by endovascular or microsurgical means. Patients in whom shunt-dependent hydrocephalus does not develop after SAH tend to have improved long-term functional outcomes. ABBREVIATIONS:aSAH, aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhageBRAT, Barrow Ruptured Aneurysm TrialGOS, Glasgow Outcome ScaleSAH, subarachnoid hemorrhageVPS, ventriculoperitoneal shunt

Background Survivors of aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) face a protracted intensive care unit (ICU) course and are at risk for developing refractory hydrocephalus with the need for a permanent ventriculoperitoneal shunt (VPS). Management of the external ventricular drain (EVD) used to provide temporary cerebrospinal fluid diversion may influence the need for a VPS, ICU length of stay (LOS), and drain complications, but the optimal EVD management approach is unknown. Therefore, we sought to determine the effect of EVD discontinuation strategy on VPS rate. Methods This was a prospective multicenter observational study at six neurocritical care units in the United States. The target population included adults with suspected aneurysmal SAH who required an EVD. Patients were preassigned to rapid or gradual EVD weans based on their treating center. The primary outcome was the rate of VPS placement. Secondary outcomes were EVD duration, ICU LOS, hospital LOS, and drain complications. Results A rapid EVD wean protocol was associated with a lower rate of VPS placement, including a delayed posthospitalization shunt, in an adjusted Cox proportional analysis (hazard ratio 0.52 [ p  = 0.041]) and adjusted logistic regression model (odds ratio 0.43 [95% confidence interval 0.18–1.03], p  = 0.057). A rapid wean was also associated with 2.1 fewer EVD days ( p  = 0.007) and saved an estimated 2.5 ICU days ( p  = 0.049), as compared with a gradual wean protocol. There were fewer nonfunctioning EVDs in the rapid group (odds ratio 0.32 [95% confidence interval 0.11–0.92]). Furthermore, we found that the time to first wean and the number of weaning attempts were important independent covariates that affected the likelihood of receiving a VPS and the duration of ICU admission. Conclusions A rapid EVD wean was associated with decreased rates of VPS placement, decreased ICU LOS, and decreased drain complications in survivors of aneurysmal SAH. These findings suggest that a randomized multicentered controlled study comparing rapid vs. gradual EVD weaning protocols is justified.

Shunt-dependent hydrocephalus is common after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) and has the risk to compromise the functional recovery of affected patients. This study investigated whether shunt-dependency is associated with the long-term outcome after aSAH. A post-hoc analysis was performed using the patient cohort of a prospective randomized controlled trial (EARLYDRAIN) conducted between 2011 and 2016. Patients were randomized for an early lumbar drainage (144 patients) or standard treatment alone (143 patients). Shunt insertion within 180 days after ictus was considered as shunt-dependency. The modified Rankin scale (mRS) at 180 days (mRS ≤ 2 equaling favorable outcome) was used for outcome assessment. The study population involved 287 aSAH patients with a mean age of 55 years. Shunt-dependent hydrocephalus was found in 29% of all patients. Patients without shunt-dependency had a better functional outcome at discharge (mRS 3.2 ± 2.0) compared to shunt-dependent patients (mRS 3.9 ± 1.5). Univariate analyses revealed worse functional outcome at 180 days in the patients with shunt-dependency compared to those without shung-dependency (mRS 2.8 ± 1.7, vs. mRS 2.2 ± 2.3). In multivariate analysis, adjusted for age, severity of the initial subarachnoid hemorrhage and the use of a lumbar drain, shunt-dependency was not associated with long-term outcome ( p  = 0.26). After correction for age, treatment and SAH-grade, shunt-dependency did not show an association with the outcome in aSAH patients after rehabilitation. Clinical improvement due to rehabilitation after shunt insertion may be the explanation why chronic hydrocephalus per se does not represent an independent factor associated with long-term outcome.

Purpose Post infective hydrocephalus (PIH) is a type of hydrocephalus which occurs after an infection of the brain or cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Treatment of PIH requires temporary measures such as external ventricular drain (EVD) and ventriculosubgaleal shunt (VSGS) until CSF becomes clear and ready to implement VP shunt. Limited research has been done to explore the tradeoff between these approaches particularly in pediatric PIH patients. Our study compares the complications, mortality rates, and the cost of used resources of both procedures. Methods A prospective study was conducted for 18 months in which we compared between VSGS and EVD for management of PIH involving 42 randomized cases with 21 patients in group A operated by VSGS and 21 patients in group B operated by EVD. Results Our results show a statistically significant difference between both groups in the duration of implementation of VSGS/EVD until resolution of infection occurs. Additionally, a higher rate of pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) admission and a longer length of hospital stay (LOS) were recorded among the EVD group. No statistically significant difference between the number of complications that happened in both despite variations in their forms. Moreover, both groups showed nearly similar mortality rates. Conclusion There is no significant difference in the rate of complications between VSGS and EVD for PIH. Based on that, VSGS emerges as a favorable and cost-effective option for the management of PIH which leads to less economic burden on patients and the country’s health resources, especially in developing countries.

Purpose Ventriculoperitoneal (V-P) shunt is one of the most common neurosurgical procedures in pediatrics for the treatment of hydrocephalus. Shunt failure is one of the common mechanical complications which lead to major morbidities. This study aims to compare between cranial part insertions of the V-P shunts guided by trans-anterior fontanel ultrasound versus conventional insertion. Methods A prospective comparative randomized study was conducted on 60 pediatric patients aged ≤ 2 years who suffered hydrocephalus and allocated into 2 groups. In the first group ( n  = 30), the cranial parts of the ventriculoperitoneal shunts were inserted guided by trans-anterior fontanel ultrasound, and in the second group ( n  = 30), the insertions were by the conventional method. The follow-up duration of the patients was 3 months. Results Proximal part obstruction of the V-P shunt was found in 3 cases of the conventional group during follow-up with statistical insignificance ( p  = 0.237) while adequate proximal part location recorded statistical significance ( p  = 0.0005) in favor of ultrasound-guided group. Conclusion The use of the anterior fontanel ultrasound guide during ventriculoperitoneal shunt insertion is a feasible, safe, and effective technique for the placement of ventricular catheters in pediatric patients with a patent anterior fontanel.

Abstract BACKGROUND Image guidance is a promising technology that could lead to lower rates of premature shunt failure by decreasing the rate of inaccurate proximal catheter placement. OBJECTIVE To perform a detailed radiographic analysis of ventricular size using 3 well-described methods and compare proximal revision rates. METHODS Our shunt surgery research database was queried to identify procedures (new placement or revision) where frameless stereotactic electromagnetic neuronavigation was used (January 2010-June 2016). A randomly selected cohort of surgeries done without image guidance during the same time period served as the comparison group. A radiographic analysis utilizing the following indices was used to classify ventricular size: bifrontal, bicaudate, and frontal-occipital horn ratio. The primary outcome was shunt failure due specifically to proximal catheter malfunction at 90 and 180 days. RESULTS A total of 108 stereotactic and 95 free-hand cases were identified. Overall, there was no difference in ventricular size between the 2 groups. Neuronavigation yielded improved accuracy rates (73% grade 1; P < .001). Although there was no statistically significant difference in proximal revision rates when all patients were analyzed, there was a clinically beneficial reduction in the 90- and 180-day failure rates across all radiographic indices in children with small-to-moderate ventricular sizes when using image guidance. CONCLUSION Electromagnetic neuronavigation results in more accurate placement of catheters, but did not result in an overall reduction in proximal shunt failure at 90 and 180 days after the index surgery. However, subgroup analysis suggests a clinically important benefit in those patients with harder to cannulate ventricles.