M Kiefer1, R Eymann, W I Steudel, M Strowitzki. 1. Department of Neurosurgery, Saarland University Medical School, Homburg-Saar, Germany. ncmkie@uniklinik_saarland.de
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: Recently a new subtype of chronic hydrocephalus was described: long-standing overt ventriculomegaly in adults (LOVA). Experience to date has indicated that shunt therapy was contraindicated, due to over-drainage. Therefore we investigated whether this problem could be overcome using gravitational shunts. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty macrocephalic adults (17-72 years of age), suffering from progressive hydrocephalus were managed with two different gravitational shunts. The post-operative observation period was 5-87 months. RESULTS: Only two patients developed hygromas, and only one of these required surgical shunt revision. Eighty-seven percent of patients had a long-lasting clinical improvement. Ventricular size was only slightly reduced in 29 patients. There was no correlation between reduction in ventricular size and clinical improvement. CONCLUSION: Contrary to clinical guidelines issued to date, we demonstrate that LOVA can be treated reliably with gravitational shunts, making them a genuine alternative to endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV).
OBJECTIVES: Recently a new subtype of chronic hydrocephalus was described: long-standing overt ventriculomegaly in adults (LOVA). Experience to date has indicated that shunt therapy was contraindicated, due to over-drainage. Therefore we investigated whether this problem could be overcome using gravitational shunts. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty macrocephalic adults (17-72 years of age), suffering from progressive hydrocephalus were managed with two different gravitational shunts. The post-operative observation period was 5-87 months. RESULTS: Only two patients developed hygromas, and only one of these required surgical shunt revision. Eighty-seven percent of patients had a long-lasting clinical improvement. Ventricular size was only slightly reduced in 29 patients. There was no correlation between reduction in ventricular size and clinical improvement. CONCLUSION: Contrary to clinical guidelines issued to date, we demonstrate that LOVA can be treated reliably with gravitational shunts, making them a genuine alternative to endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV).
Authors: Imke Rodis; Cynthia Vanessa Mahr; Michael K Fehrenbach; Jürgen Meixensberger; Andreas Merkenschlager; Matthias K Bernhard; Stefan Schob; Ulrich Thome; Robin Wachowiak; Franz W Hirsch; Ulf Nestler; Matthias Preuss Journal: Childs Nerv Syst Date: 2016-02-27 Impact factor: 1.475
Authors: Nicola Montemurro; Antonino Indaimo; Davide Tiziano Di Carlo; Nicola Benedetto; Paolo Perrini Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2022-02-09 Impact factor: 3.390