Obstructive Hydrocephalus in Adult Patients: The Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center—Shreveport Experience with Ventriculoperitoneal Shunts

Neurosarcoidosis Complicated by Noncommunicating Hydrocephalus with Atypical Presentation, Diagnosed and Treated with Endoscopic Surgery: A Case Report

Neurosarcoidosis is a condition that is characterized by the occurrence of noncaseating epithelioid granulomas in various organs throughout the body, including the lungs, heart, and central nervous system. It is particularly prevalent in cases of noncommunicating hydrocephalus. While its clinical presentations may vary, neurological deficits such as hemiparesis are extremely uncommon. We herein present a case of unilateral hydrocephalus resulting from neurosarcoidosis presenting with hemiparesis. A 58-year-old woman exhibited right hemiparesis, altered mental status, and aphasia persisting for 1 month. Magnetic resonance imaging showed unilateral hydrocephalus of uncertain etiology. The patient underwent external ventricular drainage, endoscopic fenestration of the septum pellucidum (septostomy), and lesion biopsy, which led to a histopathological diagnosis. Hemiparesis can accompany unilateral hydrocephalus caused by neurosarcoidosis. Endoscopic procedures provide an effective option for the diagnosis and treatment of noncommunicating hydrocephalus caused by neurosarcoidosis.

Role of endoscopic third ventriculostomy in patients undergoing resection of pulvinar area lesions: Preliminary clinical results

BACKGROUND

Patients with pulvinar area lesions may develop hydrocephalus at any stage. The role of endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV) in this setting remains unclear.

METHOD

We retrospectively enrolled 15 patients with a mean age of 43 years who underwent endoscopic resection of pulvinar area lesions using the supracerebellar infratentorial approach (SCITA). We compared the different modalities of hydrocephalus management and their outcomes.

RESULTS

Nine of 15 patients (60.0%) had preoperative obstructive hydrocephalus. Five patients underwent ETV before tumor resection, and none developed postoperative hydrocephalus. Four patients underwent one-stage surgery for tumor removal, and one patient with a polymorphous low-grade neuroepithelial tumor of the young required postoperative ETV. Another patient with diffuse astrocytoma and hydrocephalus underwent concurrent lamina terminalis fenestration and endoscopic resection via the SCITA, which resulted in the resolution of hydrocephalus. The preoperative ETV group had no major postoperative complications, while the non-ETV group had three (0/5 vs. 3/4, P = 0.048). The ETV group also had a shorter intensive care unit stay; however, the difference was not significant (1.2 vs. 2.8; P = 0.188). ETV was effective in alleviating symptoms of postoperative hydrocephalus in patients with midbrain-invading tumors.

CONCLUSION

Endoscopic surgery via the SCITA can address both tumor and hydrocephalus issues in some cases but has a higher surgical risk and postoperative hydrocephalus rate. Preoperative ETV can prevent these complications and improve postoperative outcomes.

Thecoperitoneal Shunts—Our 20 Years Experience

Introduction The thecoperitoneal shunt is a modality of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) diversion used to treat various clinical conditions such as idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH), normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH), and CSF leaks. There is a wide variability in the data regarding the utility and complications associated with it. We thus reviewed the outcomes and complications of the shunt done in our setting.

Methodology The study is a retrospective review of all the thecoperitoneal shunts performed at NIMHANS (National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences) from January 2000 to December 2020. The demographic details, clinical profile, indications for the shunt, magnetic resonance imaging, follow-up and complications, and shunt revisions were collected and analyzed.

Results Three-hundred twelve patients underwent shunt primarily at our institute. The mean follow-up of the patients was 5.2 years. The indications include pseudomeningocele in 31.4%, CSF leak from surgical site in 25.3%, IIH in 17.6%, and NPH in 7.3% patients.

The shunt was more effective in pseudomeningocele in up to 95% and CSF leaks in 91% compared to 64‰ in IIH, though it is not significant (p > 0.05). The complication rate was 17% that included shunt block, wound CSF leak, infection, and subdural hygromas. The shunt malfunction was seen in 14.69% patients who underwent revision.

Conclusion Thecoperitoneal shunt is a useful treatment option for various pathologies including IIH, NPH, and wound CSF leaks. They have good clinical outcomes and acceptable revision rates especially in conditions with slit ventricle. The complications such as low-pressure headache can be overcome by using adjuncts as programmable valve or antisiphon device.

Failure of Internal Cerebrospinal Fluid Shunt: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of the Overall Prevalence in Adults

OBJECTIVE

Reported rates of failures of internal cerebrospinal fluid shunt (ICSFS) vary greatly from less than 5% to more than 50% and no meta-analysis to assess the overall prevalence has been performed. We estimated the failure rate after ICSFS insertion and searched for associated factors.

METHODS

Six databases were searched from January 1990 to February 2022. Only original articles reporting the rate of adult shunt failure were included. Random-effects meta-analysis with a generalized linear mixed model method and logit transformation was used to compute the overall failure prevalence. Subgroup analysis and meta-regression were implemented to search for associated factors.

RESULTS

Of 1763 identified articles, 46 were selected, comprising 70,859 ICSFS implantations and 13,603 shunt failures, suggesting an accumulated incidence of 19.2%. However, the calculated pooled prevalence value and its 95% confidence interval (CI) were 22.7% (95% CI, 19.8-5.8). The CI of the different estimates did not overlap, indicating a strong heterogeneity confirmed by a high I² of 97.5% (95% CI, 97.1-97.8; P < 0.001; τ² = 0.3). Ninety-five percent prediction interval of shunt failure prevalence ranged from 8.75% to 47.36%. A meta-regression of prevalence of publication found a barely significant decreasing failure rate of about 2% per year (-2.11; 95% CI, -4.02 to -0.2; P = 0.031).

CONCLUSIONS

Despite being a simple neurosurgical procedure, ICSFS insertion has one of the highest risk of complications, with failure prevalence involving more than 1 patient of 5. Nonetheless, all efforts to lower this high level of shunt failure seem to be effective.

Upfront Radiosurgery for Treatment of Symptomatic Obstructive Hydrocephalus due to Brain Tumors

Introduction

Hydrocephalus is a build-up of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in the brain and is characterized by abnormal dilatation of the cerebral ventricles. Patients can be either asymptomatic, have symptoms related to primary tumors, or have hydrocephalus-related symptoms. Generally, symptomatic patients are candidates for ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt placement to reduce acute symptoms. Little evidence exists regarding the resolution of symptomatic hydrocephalus secondary to brain tumors using stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) alone as a primary treatment option.

Methods

The present study is a retrospective series of eight patients (six men and two women) diagnosed with obstructive hydrocephalus due to brain tumors treated with radiosurgery between April 2013 and February 2021. The primary endpoint of the present study is to report our institutional experience regarding the control of symptomatic obstructive hydrocephalus due to brain tumors treated with upfront radiosurgery.

Results

The mean age was 52 years (range, 5-79). The most common presenting symptoms included headache (100%), vision-related symptoms (75%), and ataxia (37.5%). All patients showed symptom improvement after radiosurgery, five (62.5%) patients showed resolution in less than three days and the rest of the patients resolved hydrocephalus in a longer timeframe (more than three days). All patients lowered their Evans index compared to the index documented before radiosurgery, in a range from 0.02 to 0.17.

Conclusion

Radiosurgery is a non-invasive alternative treatment for primary and secondary brain tumors that debut with obstructive hydrocephalus, tumors expected to have a high alpha/beta ratio might be suitable to attempt radiosurgery to avoid permanently implanted devices such as VP shunts or other invasive procedures such as a third ventriculostomy. The present study demonstrated that in selected cases SRS can lead to hydrocephalus symptom resolution along with a decrease in ventricular size in a relatively short time frame. Little evidence exists regarding the effect of SRS on symptomatic hydrocephalus resolution and further histology-specific studies are required. We acknowledge that this approach requires immediate access to radiosurgery and close clinical follow-up to ensure success.

Comparative durability and costs analysis of ventricular shunts

OBJECTIVE

Ventricular shunt (VS) durability has been well studied in the pediatric population and in patients with normal pressure hydrocephalus; however, further evaluation in a more heterogeneous adult population is needed. This study aims to evaluate the effect of diagnosis and valve type-fixed versus programmable-on shunt durability and cost for placement of shunts in adult patients.

METHODS

The authors retrospectively reviewed the medical records of all patients who underwent implantation of a VS for hydrocephalus at their institution over a 3-year period between August 2013 and October 2016 with a minimum postoperative follow-up of 6 months. The primary outcome was shunt revision, which was defined as reoperation for any indication after the initial procedure. Supply costs, shunt durability, and hydrocephalus etiologies were compared between fixed and programmable valves.

RESULTS

A total of 417 patients underwent shunt placement during the index time frame, consisting of 62 fixed shunts (15%) and 355 programmable shunts (85%). The mean follow-up was 30 ± 12 (SD) months. The shunt revision rate was 22% for programmable pressure valves and 21% for fixed pressure valves (HR 1.1 [95% CI 0.6-1.8]). Shunt complications, such as valve failure, infection, and overdrainage, occurred with similar frequency across valve types. Kaplan-Meier survival curve analysis showed no difference in durability between fixed (mean 39 months) and programmable (mean 40 months) shunts (p = 0.980, log-rank test). The median shunt supply cost per index case and accounting for subsequent revisions was $3438 (interquartile range $2938-$3876) and $1504 (interquartile range $753-$1584) for programmable and fixed shunts, respectively (p < 0.001, Wilcoxon rank-sum test). Of all hydrocephalus etiologies, pseudotumor cerebri (HR 1.9 [95% CI 1.2-3.1]) and previous shunt malfunction (HR 1.8 [95% CI 1.2-2.7]) were found to significantly increase the risk of shunt revision. Within each diagnosis, there were no significant differences in revision rates between shunts with a fixed valve and shunts with a programmable valve.

CONCLUSIONS

Long-term shunt revision rates are similar for fixed and programmable shunt pressure valves in adult patients. Hydrocephalus etiology may play a significant role in predicting shunt revision, although programmable valves incur higher supply costs regardless of initial diagnosis. Utilization of fixed pressure valves versus programmable pressure valves may reduce supply costs while maintaining similar revision rates. Given the importance of developing cost-effective management protocols, this study highlights the critical need for large-scale prospective observational studies and randomized clinical trials of ventricular shunt valve revisions and additional patient-centered outcomes.

The role of radiosurgery in the acute management of fourth ventricle compression due to brain metastases

Background:

Approximately 20–30% of all intracranial metastases are located in the posterior fossa. The clinical evolution hinges on factors such as tumor growth dynamics, local topographic conditions, performance status, and prompt intervention. Fourth ventricle (V4) compression with secondary life-threatening obstructive hydrocephalus remains a major concern, often requiring acute surgical intervention. We have previously reported on the application of adaptive hypofractionated Gamma Knife Radiosurgery in the acute management of critically located metastases, a technique known to us as rapid rescue radiosurgery (3R). We report the results of 3R in the management of posterior fossa lesions and ensuing V4 decompression.

Case Descriptions:

Four patients with V4 compression due to posterior fossa metastases were treated with 3R by three separate gamma knife radiosurgical sessions (GKRS) over a period of seven days. Mean V4 volume was 1.02 cm³ at GKRS 1, 1.13 cm³ at GKRS 2, and 1.12 cm³ at GKRS 3. Mean tumor volume during the week of treatment was 10 cm³ at both GKRS 1 and 2 and 9 cm³ at GKRS 3. On average, we achieved a tumor volume reduction of 52% and a V4 size increase of 64% at the first follow-up (4 weeks after GKRS 3). Long-term follow-up showed continued local tumor control, stable V4 volume, and absence of hydrocephalus.

Conclusion:

For this series, 3R was effective in terms of rapid tumor ablation, V4 decompression, and limited radiation-induced toxicity. This surgical procedure may become an additional tool in the management of intractable posterior fossa metastasis with V4 compression.

Evaluation of Ventriculoperitoneal Shunt-Related Complications in Intracranial Meningioma with Hydrocephalus

Objective Meningioma is a common intracranial tumor that predisposes patients to hydrocephalus which may require a permanent cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) diversion procedure such as ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunts. We reviewed our long-term experience with VP shunts for the management of hydrocephalus in patients with meningioma. Methods and Materials A total of 48 Patients with meningioma who underwent VP shunt insertion for hydrocephalus from 1990 to 2013 was included in our case series. The study population was evaluated clinically and radiographically after VP shunt placement. Results Overall shunt failure was seen in 13 (27%) patients. Single and multiple shunt revisions were required in eight (16.7%) and five (10.4%) patients, respectively. The overall shunt revision within 6 months, 1 , and 5 years was 19, 23, and 27%, respectively. Male patient was significantly associated with the longer survival after shunt placement. Revisions free survival after 3, 5, 10, and 15 years of VP shunt placement were 70, 46, 30, and 20%, respectively. Finally, in regression analysis, age greater than 65 years (p = 0.02, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.1-0.13), tumor in posterior fossa (p < 0.0001, 95% CI = 0.1-0.23), tumor size (> 5 cm) (p = 0.3, 95% CI = 0.01-0.19), and Simpson resection grades II to IV (p = 0.04, 95% CI = 0.07-0.2) were identified as positive predictors of requirement of CSF flow diversion Conclusion The findings of the present study reveal that VP shunting is an important treatment option for the management of hydrocephalus in patients with meningioma. Further studies using less invasive techniques are warranted to compare the benefits of VP shunt for the management of hydrocephalus.

Cryptococcal Infection of the Ventriculoperitoneal Shunt in an Immunocompetent Patient

Patient: Male, 52

Final Diagnosis: Cryptococcal ventriculoperitoneal shunt infection

Symptoms: Confusion • fever • Lethargy

Medication: Amphotericin B • Flucytosine

Clinical Procedure: Ventriculoperitoneal shunt removal

Specialty: Infectious disease

Use of programmable versus nonprogrammable shunts in the management of hydrocephalus secondary to aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage: a retrospective study with cost-benefit analysis

Object

The choice of programmable or nonprogrammable shunts for the management of hydrocephalus after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) remains undefined. Variable intracranial pressures make optimal management difficult. Programmable shunts have been shown to reduce problems with drainage, but at 3 times the cost of nonprogrammable shunts.

Methods

All patients who underwent insertion of a ventriculoperitoneal shunt for hydrocephalus after aneurysmal SAH between 2006 and 2012 were included. Patients were divided into those in whom nonprogrammable shunts and those in whom programmable shunts were inserted. The rates of shunt revisions, the reasons for adjustments of shunt settings in patients with programmable devices, and the effectiveness of the adjustments were analyzed. A cost-benefit analysis was also conducted to determine if the overall cost for programmable shunts was more than for nonprogrammable shunts.

Results

Ninety-four patients underwent insertion of shunts for hydrocephalus secondary to SAH. In 37 of these patients, nonprogrammable shunts were inserted, whereas in 57 programmable shunts were inserted. Four (7%) of 57 patients with programmable devices underwent shunt revision, whereas 8 (21.6%) of 37 patients with nonprogrammable shunts underwent shunt revision (p = 0.0413), and 4 of these patients had programmable shunts inserted during shunt revision. In 33 of 57 patients with programmable shunts, adjustments were made. The adjustments were for a trial of functional improvement (n = 21), overdrainage (n = 5), underdrainage (n = 6), or overly sunken skull defect (n = 1). Of these 33 patients, 24 showed neurological improvements (p = 0.012). Cost-benefit analysis showed $646.60 savings (US dollars) per patient if programmable shunts were used, because the cost of shunt revision is a lot higher than the cost of the shunt.

Conclusions

The rate of shunt revision is lower in patients with programmable devices, and these are therefore more cost-effective. In addition, the shunt adjustments made for patients with programmable devices also resulted in better neurological outcomes.

Morinda citrifolia L. (noni) and memantine attenuate periventricular tissue injury of the fourth ventricle in hydrocephalic rabbits

This study was designed to evaluate the neuroprotective effects of Morinda citrifolia L. (Rubiaceae), commonly known as noni, and memantine (a N-methy-D-aspartate receptor inhibitor) on hydrocephalus-induced neurodegenerative disorders. Kaolin was injected into the cistern magna of male adult New Zealand rabbits to establish a hydrocephalus animal model. Memantine (20 mg/kg, intraperitoneally; memantine-treated group) or noni (5 mL/kg, intragastrically; noni-treated group) was administered daily for 2 weeks. Microtubule-associated protein-2 and caspase-3 immunohistochemistry were performed to detect neuronal degeneration and apoptosis in the periventricular tissue of the fourth ventricle of rabbits. Microtubule-associated protein-2 staining density was significantly decreased in the hydrocephalic group, while the staining density was significantly increased in the memantine- and noni-treated groups, especially in the noni-treated group. Noni treatment decreased the number of caspase-3-positive cells in rabbits with hydrocephalus, while memantine had no effect. These findings suggest that noni exhibits more obvious inhibitory effects on hydrocephalus-induced neurodegenerative disorders than memantine in periventricular tissue of the fourth ventricle.

Flow-regulated versus differential pressure-regulated shunt valves for adult patients with normal pressure hydrocephalus

BACKGROUND

Since 1965 many ventriculo-peritoneal shunt systems have been inserted worldwide to treat hydrocephalus. The most frequent indication in adults is normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH), a condition that can be difficult to diagnose precisely. Surgical intervention with flow-regulated and differential pressure-regulated ventriculo-peritoneal shunts remains controversial. Knowledge about the benefits and harms of these interventions is limited.

OBJECTIVES

The objective of this review is to summarize the evidence on benefits and harms of flow-regulated versus differential pressure-regulated shunt valves for adult patients with NPH, based on reported findings of randomised clinical trials.

SEARCH METHODS

The ALOIS (www.medicine.ox.ac.uk/alois), the Cochrane Dementia and Cognitive Improvement Group Specialized Register; MEDLINE (from 1950) (Ovid SP); EMBASE (from 1980) (Ovid SP); CINAHL (from 1980) (EBSCOhost); PsycINFO (from 1806) (Ovid SP); LILACS (from 1982 ) (BIREME); ClinicalTrials.gov; Umin Japan Trial Register; WHO portal;The Cochrane Library's Central Register of Controlled trials (CENTRAL); ISI Web of Knowledge Conference Proceedings; Index to Theses; and Australasian Digital Theses were searched until May 16, 2012.The search terms used were NPH, "normal pressure hydrocephalus," iNPH, idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus, sNPH, and "secondary normal pressure hydrocephalus."

SELECTION CRITERIA

We planned to include randomised clinical trials comparing flow-regulated versus differential pressure-regulated shunt valves.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Two authors with expert knowledge within the field independently reviewed studies for eligibility, assessed risk of bias, and extracted data.

MAIN RESULTS

No randomised clinical trials comparing flow-regulated versus differential pressure-regulated shunt valves were found.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

There is no evidence from randomised clinical trials indicates that flow-regulated and differential pressure-regulated shunt valves differ with regard to clinical outcome, shunt failure, or intervention risks. Randomised clinical trials are needed that take into account the large number of VP shunts implanted each year in patients with NPH.

Long-term outcomes of ventriculoperitoneal shunt surgery in patients with hydrocephalus

OBJECTIVE

Ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt surgery is the predominant mode of therapy for patients with hydrocephalus. However, it has potential complications that may require multiple surgical procedures during a patient's lifetime. The objective of this study is to review our long-term experience and evaluate the risk factors for VP shunt failure after initial shunt surgery and after subsequent revisions.

METHODS

Patients who underwent VP shunt surgery for hydrocephalus were included. Medical charts, operative reports, imaging studies, and clinical follow-up evaluations were reviewed and analyzed retrospectively.

RESULTS

A total of 1015 patients with the median age of 41.6 (range, 0-90.3) years at the time of VP shunt surgery were included. The mean and median follow up was 9.2 and 6.5 years, respectively. Adult patients (≥ 17 years) accounted for 70.0% of the patients. The overall shunt failure rate requiring shunt revision(s) was 46.3%, and the majority of shunt revisions occurred during the first 6 months after shunt placement. The shunt revision rate was significantly greater in pediatric (<17 years) than in adult (>17 years) patients (78.2% vs. 32.5%, P < 0.001). Age at the time of shunt surgery, previous treatments to shunt surgery, etiology of hydrocephalus, and hydrocephalus type were independently associated with the incidence of shunt revision. Age at shunt placement and sex were significantly associated with multiple shunt revisions. Among populations with at least one shunt revision, pediatric patients had significantly lower shunt survival rate and shorter median time to subsequent shunt revision than the adult (>17 years) patients; male patients had greater odds for multiple revisions than female patients.

CONCLUSION

The findings of the study indicate that age at shunt placement, etiology of hydrocephalus, type of hydrocephalus, and previous treatments before shunt surgery were independently significantly associated with the shunt survival. Prospective controlled studies are required to address the observed associations between the risk factors and incidence of shunt revisions in these patients.

Ventriculoperitoneal shunt surgery and the incidence of shunt revision in adult patients with hemorrhage-related hydrocephalus

OBJECTIVE

Ventriculoperitoneal shunt surgery remains the most widely accepted neurosurgical procedure for the management of hydrocephalus. However, shunt failure and complications are common and may require multiple surgical procedures during a patient's lifetime. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the ventriculoperitoneal shunt surgery and the incidence of shunt revision in adult patients with hemorrhage-related hydrocephalus.

METHODS

Adult patients who underwent ventriculoperitoneal shunt placement for hemorrhage-related hydrocephalus from October 1990 to October 2009 were included in this study. Medical charts, operative reports, imaging studies, and clinical follow-up evaluations were reviewed and analyzed retrospectively.

RESULTS

A total of 133 adult patients with the median age of 54.5 years were included. Among patients, 41% were males, and 62% Caucasians. The overall shunt revision rate was 51.9%. The shunt revision rate within the first 6 months after the initial placement of ventriculoperitoneal shunts was 45.1%. The median time to first shunt revision was 0.50 (95% CI, 0.24-9.2) months. No significant association was observed between perioperative variables (gender, ethnicity, hydrocephalus type, or hemorrhage type) and the shunt revision rate in these patients. Major causes of shunt revision include infection (3.6%), overdrainage (7.6%), obstruction (4.8%), proximal shunt complication (7.6%), distal shunt complication (3.6%), old shunt dysfunction (6.8%), valve malfunction (10.0%), externalization (3.6%), shunt complication (12.0%), shunt adjustment/replacement (24.0%) and other (16.4%).

CONCLUSION

Although ventriculoperitoneal shunting remains to be the treatment of choice for adult patients with post hemorrhage-related hydrocephalus, a thorough understanding of predisposing factors related to the shunt failure is necessary to improve treatment outcomes.