Cerebrospinal fluid shunt technology

Update Item Information
Publication Type Journal Article
School or College School of Medicine
Department Neurosurgery
Creator Kestle, John R. W.
Other Author Drake, J. M.; Tuli, S.
Title Cerebrospinal fluid shunt technology
Date 2000
Description Since the invention of the first implantable shunt valve by Nulsen and Spitz (12) almost 50 years ago, there has been a remarkable number of ingenious modifications and new designs of shunt equipment to treat pediatric hydrocephalus. These developments were in response to the immediately evident high shunt failure rate. These designs included antisiphon devices (15), on-off devices, gravity-actuated changes in opening pressure, and even externally adjustable valves, some with electromagnetic programmers (16) (Fig. 18.1). Aside from the introduction of the silicone elastomer material, there has in fact been little clinical impact on the treatment with patients with shunts. Moreover, there has been a recognition of the unexpected complications-cor pulmonale (11) and shunt nephritis (19) from cardiac shunts, bowel erosion from spring-coiled catheters (1), obstruction of anti-siphon devices by capsule formation (3), and tonsilar herniation by lumboperitoneal shunts (2). In fact, each new shunt equipment design has in many cases brought along its own unique set of complications. Interpretation of the results of new shunt hardware was often hampered by the design of the studies. They often contained small retrospective series of patients, loosely defined inclusion criteria, poor definition of outcome events, short follow-up, and inappropriate statistical analysis. These studies were often conducted by enthusiasts of the devices who had vested interests in the outcome, including financial incentives. Early enthusiastic reports were often followed by less enthusiastic ones, often about unexpected complications.
Type Text
Publisher Wolters Kluwer (LWW)
First Page 336
Last Page 345
Subject Shunt technology; Valve design
Subject LCSH Hydrocephalus in children; Cerebrospinal fluid shunts; Cerebrospinal fluid shunts -- Design and construction
Language eng
Bibliographic Citation Drake, J. M., Kestle, J. R. W., & Tuli, S. (2000). Cerebrospinal fluid shunt technology. Clinical Neurosurgery, 47, 336-45.
Rights Management (c) Wolters Kluwer (LWW) http://lww.com
Format Medium application/pdf
Format Extent 481,161 bytes
Identifier ir-main,13230
ARK ark:/87278/s6m04pzf
Setname ir_uspace
ID 706047
Reference URL https://collections.lib.utah.edu/ark:/87278/s6m04pzf
Back to Search Results