A LONGITUDINAL STUDY OF SHUNT FUNCTION IN 360 PATIENTS WITH HYDROCEPHALUS

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Abstract
Data from an 8-yr clinical study of shunt-treated hydrocephalus indicated continued shunt dependency in 289 of 360 patients. Combined pressure-radionuclide clearance studies (919) were performed. In 307 studies in which the shunt was identified as nonfunctional, 208 patients were symptomatic for increased intracranial pressure and had the shunt revised. Of the other 99 patients, 71 have remained asymptomatic for 3-60 mo. (mean 27 mo.) and 28 subsequently required shunt revision after 1-67 mo. (mean 24 mo.). Five other clinical patterns are described. Various methods of monitoring shunt function are recommended.