Effects of Pumping Hydrocephalus Shunts on Intracranial Pressure
Author Information
Author(s): Bromby Adam, Czosnyka Zofia, Allin David, Richards Hugh K, Pickard John D, Czosnyka Marek
Primary Institution: Academic Neurosurgical Unit, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge, UK
Hypothesis
Pumping the pre-chamber of hydrocephalus shunts may lead to significant changes in intracranial pressure.
Conclusion
Pumping a shunt's pre-chamber can cause large changes in intracranial pressure and may lead to complications.
Supporting Evidence
- All tested shunts produced negative pressures ranging from -11.5 mmHg to -233.1 mmHg.
- The PS Medical Lumboperitoneal valve required the fewest pumps to reach low pressure levels.
- Pumping the pre-chamber can lead to clinically relevant over-drainage.
Takeaway
Pumping a device that helps drain fluid from the brain can make the pressure inside the head drop a lot, which can be dangerous.
Methodology
A physical model of the CSF space was constructed to test eleven different hydrocephalus shunts.
Limitations
The in-vitro model may not fully represent clinical conditions.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.001
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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