Ventriculoperitoneal Shunt Drainage Increases With Gravity and Cerebrospinal Fluid Pressure Pulsations: Benchtop Model

17 years of experience with shunt systems in normal pressure hydrocephalus - From differential pressure to gravitational valves

Objective

Complication rate of shunting for normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH) has significantly improved over the last decades. Especially the use of overdrainage protection has reduced the incidence of subdural hematoma and collections. However, gravitational valves were associated with other complications of shunt dysfunction. We present our 17 years of experience with patients with normal pressure hydrocephalus who changed from a differential pressure valve to a gravitational valve system.

Methods

We retrospectively identified all patients with the diagnosis of normal pressure hydrocephalus, in whom primary shunt implantation was performed between 2004 and 2020. Shunt implantation was performed as per our internal standard. Review of imaging, charts and patient reports was performed.

Results

In total, 409 patients were included in the analysis. Mean age was 73.0 ± 7.1years. Between 2004 and 2010, predominantly Hakim valves (n = 100, 24.4%) were implanted, whilst from 2009 until 2020, proGAV valves (n = 296, 72.4%) were used. Mean follow-up was 8.9 ± 4.5 years. Initial subjective improvement of symptoms was reported in 69.9%, whilst this number decreased at the last follow-up to 29.8%. No significant differences were observed between the valves in the frequency of surgery for subdural hematoma. Shunt assistant implantation was performed in 17% of patients with Hakim valve, in 9.5% of patients with proGAV, a shunt assistant was added. Shunt obstruction was significantly higher in proGAV valves (p < 0.001).

Conclusions

Our findings confirm the observation of frequent overdrainage in shunts without anti-siphon/gravitational component. Gravitational valves on the other hand may be associated with more obstruction.

Dilatation of the bridging cerebral cortical veins in childhood hydrocephalus suggests a malfunction of venous impedance pumping

Dogs with a naturally occurring form of hydrocephalus have an elevated transmural venous pressure leading to cortical vein dilatation. The purpose of this study is to discover if there is vein dilatation in childhood hydrocephalus and to estimate the pressure required to maintain any enlargement found. Children with hydrocephalus between the ages of 4 and 15 years were compared with a control group. Magnetic resonance venography (MRV) and flow quantification were performed. The arterial inflow, sagittal sinus and straight sinus venous outflow were measured and the outflow percentages compared to the inflow were calculated. The cross-sectional area of the veins were measured. There were a total of 18 children with hydrocephalus, compared to 72 age and sex matched control MRV’s and 22 control flow quantification studies. In hydrocephalus, the sagittal sinus venous return was reduced by 12.9%, but the straight sinus flow was not significantly different. The superficial territory veins were 22% larger than the controls but the vein of Galen was unchanged. There is evidence of a significant increase in the superficial vein transmural pressure in childhood hydrocephalus estimated to be approximately 4 mmHg. An impedance pump model is suggested to explain these findings.