Description:
This procedure is used to treat communicating hydrocephalus (also known as normal pressure hydrocephalus) and benign intracranial hypertension (or pseudotumour cerebri).
Communicating hydrocephalus is an uncommon condition caused by excess fluid (cerebrospinal fluid) collecting in the space in the subarachnoid space. It may be due to a congenital abnormality, a brain haemorrhage or meningitis. Sometimes no cause is identified. The symptoms are confusion, gait disturbance and incontinence of urine. The condition may cause brain damage or death if not treated.
Benign intracranial hypertension is an uncommon condition of unknown cause, in which the pressure of cerebrospinal fluid is increased. The symptoms include headache, dizziness and visual problems. The prognosis is generally good, although a few people may experience permanent visual loss.
A cerebrospinal fluid shunt is a system of valved tubes which diverts cerebrospinal fluid from the subarachnoid space into another part of the body to drain it and prevent damage to the brain or eyes.
Usually, a shunt is tunnelled under the skin, with the upper end in a cerebral ventricle and the lower end is in the heart (ventriculo-atrial shunt) or in the peritoneum (ventriculo-peritoneal shunt). Alternatively, the upper end of the shunt is placed in subarachnoid space in the lumbar part of the back and the lower end drains fluid into the peritoneum (lumboperitoneal shunt).
A lumbar subcutaneous shunt differs from these types of shunt in that the cerebrospinal fluid drains into the potential space immediately under the skin. A narrow tube is inserted into the subarachnoid space in the lumbar part of the back during a lumbar puncture. It is then fed under the skin to a site where it can drain fluid, usually in the flank or abdomen.The advantage is that, unlike other shunt procedures, general anaesthetic is not required.
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