NEUROLOGY COMMUNITY
Options for Failing VP Shunt

Options for Failing VP Shunt

I have an 8-year old son who was born with Dandy Walker malformation & hydrocephalus. To date he has had over 10 revisions in the last two years due to shunt (catheter) occlusion.  CT and MRI scans show good communication between the ventricles and opportune areas for catheter placement.  However we experience occlusion usually within 1-2 weeks after the revision.  We have repositioning the occipital insertion point from the right side to left and still have a problem.

It appears a Choroid membrane is lapsing as the fluid drains and eventually occluding the catheter. Also, due to his atypical anatomy, this is exacerbated the catheter positioning.  While midline revision and clearing the ventricles of excess membrane is an option, dur desire is to find a process in lieu of this due to the trauma, neurological risk, and risk of infection.  While we have read of using ultrasound and lasers to clear the holes in the catheter but have not seen anything to address this. Are there other methods/options available to avoid the midline revision?  
Related Discussions
Post a Comment
To
Comment
Post A Comment
Go
Blank
Mood Tracker
See what affects your mood
Start Tracking Now
Blank
Pain Tracker
Track location and severity
Start Tracking Now
MedHelp Health Answers
Submit
Blank
Moody Me
Have more happy days!
Download Now
Top Neurology Answerers
620923_tn?1335125657
Blank
selmaS
Allentown, PA
1475492_tn?1332887767
Blank
Sidesteps
Seattle Area, WA
338416_tn?1260996698
Blank
jensequitur
Fort Worth, TX
Avatar_f_tn
Blank
ggreg
NC
999891_tn?1330652344
Blank
rod44
Cork city, Ireland
1548028_tn?1324616046
Blank
ku111
RSS Expert Activity
2126606_tn?1335910182
Blank
Heroin Abuse on the Rise among U.S....
1 min ago by Clare Waismann Kavin, RASBlank
1741471_tn?1336957856
Blank
LIVE WEBINAR TOMORROW!-SUPER BODY, ... Blank
May 22 by Michael Gonzalez-WallaceBlank
2126606_tn?1335910182
Blank
Fibromyalgia Awareness
May 11 by Clare Waismann Kavin, RASBlank