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Shunts - regular check ups?
by ahamlin, Apr 03, 2008 01:51PM
Hi,
I'm looking after a young man who is 17. He has a shunt fitted, and has severe learning disabilities. He has no way of communicating pain or discomfort. His behaviour has changed over the last few months. He is very hyperactive and can be impossible to settle at times. Should he be going for routine check-ups of his shunt? (And what would happen at a check-up?) Could his behaviour change be due to a problem with his shunts?
Many thanks.
I'm looking after a young man who is 17. He has a shunt fitted, and has severe learning disabilities. He has no way of communicating pain or discomfort. His behaviour has changed over the last few months. He is very hyperactive and can be impossible to settle at times. Should he be going for routine check-ups of his shunt? (And what would happen at a check-up?) Could his behaviour change be due to a problem with his shunts?
Many thanks.
Post Comment
His recent change in behavior may be due to dysfunction of the shunt. There may be a dysfunction at either ends of the shunt. The most important test his neurosurgeon will perform is the CSF pressure. And brain MRI may be ordered to see if the ventricle size has changed.
If needed, a shunt revision surgery may be needed.
Regards