Pediatric hydrocephalus: current management.

Hydrocephalus is a common problem in pediatric neurology and neurosurgery. The key to the diagnosis of hydrocephalus is the clinical or radiographic progression over time. Most children who have hydrocephalus require ventriculoperitoneal shunts, but the complications of shunting remain distressingly common. Using current endoscopic techniques, a small proportion of patients can be treated without ventriculoperitoneal shunts. The population of pediatric patients who have had hydrocephalic shunts is maturing; these young adults now face issues related to independent living, pregnancy, and long-term care of their hydrocephalus.