Ventricular shunt






Definition

A ventricular shunt is a tube that is surgically placed in one of the fluid-filled chambers inside the brain (ventricles). The fluid around the brain and the spinal column is called cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). When infection or disease causes an excess of CSF in the ventricles, the shunt is placed to drain it and thereby relieve excess pressure.


Purpose

A ventricular shunt relieves hydrocephalus, a condition in which there is an increased volume of CSF within the ventricles. In hydrocephalus, pressure from the CSF usually increases. It may be caused by a tumor of the brain or of the membranes covering the brain (meninges), infection of or bleeding into the CSF, or inborn malformations of the brain. Symptoms of hydrocephalus may include headache, personality disturbances and loss of intellectual abilities (dementia), problems in walking, irritability, vomiting, abnormal eye movements, or a low level of consciousness.

Normal pressure hydrocephalus (a condition in which the volume of CSF increases without an increase in pressure) is associated with progressive dementia, problems walking, and loss of bladder control (urinary incontinence). Even though CSF is not thought to be under increased pressure in this condition, it may also be treated by ventricular shunting.


Demographics

The congenital form of hydrocephalus is believed to occur at an incidence of approximately one to four out of every 1,000 births. The incidence of acquired hydrocephalus is not exactly known. The peak ages for the development of hydrocephalus are in infancy, between four and eight years, and in early adulthood. Normal pressure hydrocephalus generally occurs in patients over the age of 60.


Description

The ventricular shunt tube is placed to drain fluid from the ventricular system in the brain to the cavity of the abdomen or to the large vein in the neck (jugular vein). Therefore, surgical procedures must be done both in the brain and at the drainage site. The tubing contains valves to ensure that fluid can only flow out of the brain and not back into it. The valve can be set at a desired pressure to allow CSF to escape whenever the pressure level is exceeded.

A small reservoir may be attached to the tubing and placed under the scalp. This reservoir allows samples of CSF to be removed with a syringe to check the pressure. Fluid from the reservoir can also be examined for bacteria, cancer cells, blood, or protein, depending on the cause of hydrocephalus. The reservoir may also be used to inject antibiotics for CSF infection or chemotherapy medication for meningeal tumors.


Diagnosis/Preparation

The diagnosis of hydrocephalus should be confirmed by diagnostic imaging techniques, such as computed tomography scan (CT scan) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), before the shunting procedure is performed. These techniques will also show any associated brain abnormalities. CSF should be examined if infection or tumor of the meninges is suspected. Patients with dementia or mental retardation should undergo neuropsychological testing to establish a baseline psychological profile before the shunting procedure.

As with any surgical procedure, the surgeon must know about any medications or health problems that may increase the patient's risk. Because infections are both common and serious, antibiotics are often given before and after surgery.

Aftercare

To avoid infections at the shunt site, the area should be kept clean. CSF should be checked periodically by the doctor to be sure there is no infection or bleeding into the shunt. CSF pressure should be checked to be sure the shunt is operating properly. The eyes should be examined regularly because shunt failure may damage the nerve to the eyes (optic nerve). If not treated promptly, damage to the optic nerve causes irreversible loss of vision.


Risks

Serious and long-term complications of ventricular shunting are bleeding under the outermost covering of the brain (subdural hematoma), infection, stroke, and shunt failure. When a shunt drains to the abdomen (ventriculoperitoneal shunt), fluid may accumulate in the abdomen or abdominal organs may be injured. If CSF pressure is lowered too much, patients may have severe headaches, often with nausea and vomiting, whenever they sit up or stand.


Normal results

After shunting, the ventricles get smaller within three or four days. This shrinkage occurs even when hydrocephalus has been present for a year or more. Clinically detectable signs of improvement occur within a few weeks. The cause of hydrocephalus, duration of hydrocephalus before shunting, and associated brain abnormalities affect the outcome.

Of patients with normal pressure hydrocephalus who are treated with shunting, 25–80% experience long-term improvement. Normal pressure hydrocephalus is more likely to improve when it is caused by infection of or bleeding into the CSF than when it occurs without an underlying cause.

Morbidity and mortality rates

Complications of shunting occur in 30% of cases, but only 5% are serious. Infections occur in 5–10% of patients, and as many as 80% of shunts develop a mechanical problem at some point and need to be replaced.


Alternatives

In some cases of hydrocephalus, certain drugs may be administered to temporarily decrease the amount of CSF until surgery can be performed. In patients with hydrocephalus caused by a tumor, removal of the tumor often cures the buildup of CSF. Approximately 25% of patients respond to therapies other than shunt placement.

Patients with normal pressure hydrocephalus may experience a temporary improvement in walking and mental abilities upon the temporary drainage of a moderate amount of CSF. This improvement may be an indication that shunting will improve their condition.


Resources

BOOKS

Aldrich, E. Francois, Lawrence S. Chin, Arthur J. DiPatri, and Howard M. Eisenberg. "Hydrocephalus." In Sabiston Textbook of Surgery, edited by Courtney M. Townsend Jr. 16th ed. Philadelphia: W. B. Saunders Company, 2001.

Golden, Jeffery A., and Carsten G. Bonnemann. "Hydrocephalus." In Textbook of Clinical Neurology, edited by Christopher G. Goetz and Eric J. Pappert. Philadelphia: W. B. Saunders Company, 1999.

PERIODICALS

Hamid, Rukaiya K. A., and Philippa Newfield. "Pediatric Neuroanesthesia: Hydrocephalus." Anesthesiology Clinics of North America 19, no. 2 (June 1, 2001): 207–18.

ORGANIZATIONS

American Academy of Neurology. 1080 Montreal Ave., St. Paul, MN 55116. (800) 879-1960. http://www.aan.com .


OTHER

Dalvi, Arif. "Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus." eMedicine , January 14, 2002 [cited May 21, 2003]. http://www.emedicine.com/neuro/topic277.htm .

Hord, Eugenia-Daniela. "Hydrocephalus." eMedicine , January 14, 2002 [cited May 21, 2003]. http://www.emedicine.com/neuro/topic161.htm .

Sgouros, Spyros. "Management of Spina Bifida, Hydrocephalus, and Shunts." eMedicine , May 14, 2003. [cited May 21, 2003]. http://www.emedicine.com/ped/topic2976.htm .


Laurie Barclay, MD Stephanie Dionne Sherk

WHO PERFORMS THE PROCEDURE AND WHERE IS IT PERFORMED?



Ventricular shunting is performed in a hospital operating room by a neurosurgeon, a surgeon who specializes in the treatment of diseases of the brain, spinal cord, and nerves.

QUESTIONS TO ASK THE DOCTOR



  • Why is a ventricular shunt recommended in my case?
  • What is the cause of the hydrocephalus?
  • What diagnostic tests will be performed prior to the shunt being placed?
  • Where will the shunt be placed?
  • Are there any alternatives to a ventricular shunt?

User Contributions:

Jane Smith
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Jul 21, 2006 @ 8:20 pm
I have appreciated this article very much. Thank you for the simple explanations, and especially the statistics, which have given me a clearer idea of the prognosis for my baby.
Donna
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Jun 11, 2007 @ 11:23 pm
IS IT DANGEROUS TO REMOVE A SHUNT FROM A 4 YR OLD,HE HAS HAD IT FOR 2 YR S OR MORE.THE DR S SAY HE IS DOING FINE AND IT IS UP TO THE PARENT S TO HAVE IT REMOVED
donna weaver
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Jul 18, 2007 @ 2:14 pm
My father(80) about a month ago had a shunt put in the back of his head because he was diagnosed with NPH. He has been complaining about double vision, words and numbers waving, words disappearing, and having a hard time figuring out numbers. His surgeon says to wait and see if it gets better but you say here " The eyes should be examined regularly because shunt failure may damage the nerve to the eyes (optic nerve). If not treated promptly, damage to the optic nerve causes irreversible loss of vision." Should we be worried? How lomg do we wait?
leanne
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Nov 5, 2007 @ 3:15 pm
can you get pains in your testicals after having a shut and a catheter fitted
JENNIFER SHAW
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Feb 21, 2008 @ 11:11 am
I HAVE HAD A SHUNT FITTED SINCE BIRTH,THE SECOND ONE WAS 16YEARS AGO.POSIBLY ONCE A YEAR I HAVE A VIOLENT HEADACHE WHICH FEELS LIKE MY HEAD IS BEING CRUSHED,AFTER A FEW HOURS I FELT DIZZY AND SICK,SO I MADE MYSELF VOMIT AND STRAIGHT AWAY THE HEADACHE HAD GONE.WHAT COULD THIS MEAN
percy kim
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Sep 14, 2008 @ 9:21 pm
my son has a shunt in his head for about 6years and today he is getting like little sharp needle poking where his shunt is. we are calling for medical advice. what could be doing this??? please reply.
thanks
Mary
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Sep 19, 2008 @ 1:13 pm
My child has had a ventricular shunt since she was 18 months old.
She is now 26 years old. She had a serious malfunction of the valve when she was 14. She is now having problems with headache, passing out and seizures. The doctors that she seen tell here that it is not the shunt but something else causing her problems, but they can not tell her what exactly it is. Do you know if a person can out grow the need for a shunt once you have one. One of the doctors that she saw told her that it looked like she probably didn't even need the shunt.
Any information will be appreciated.
Bennie
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Jan 15, 2009 @ 10:10 am
mY SHUNTS HAVE BEEN CHANGED SO MANY TIMES AND I CONTINUE TO HAVE DISTORTED EYES, SEVERE HEADACHES, PARACETAMOL DOES NOT WORK ANY MORE FOR ME THE LUMBAR PUNCTURES JUST HELP ME FOR A WHILE AND THEN ALL THE PROBLEMS STARTS AGAIN, CAN YOU HELP ME I AM DESPERATE THANKS BYE
ya
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May 1, 2009 @ 2:14 pm
there is spaciel prosedure in NM ?

thank you for answering
Mike
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May 22, 2009 @ 12:12 pm
My infant daughter had blood that got into her CSF it then clot the ventricles and they cant drain. The doctors want to but a permanent shunt into her abdomen. Is this a common procedure for a baby that is only one week old or is there other options? Will the shunt affect her ability's for the rest of her life. She is perfectly normal now. Thanks you Mike
Lauren McGowan
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Jul 21, 2009 @ 12:12 pm
My daughter, now 23 years, had an unusual symptom which others may wish to note. The CSF passed from her abdominal cavity to her pleural (lung) cavity, putting pressure on the lungs. So, although rare, this did happen and was corrected.
Thanks Lauren
Cherie
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Jul 30, 2009 @ 5:17 pm
A friend's daughter had a right ventricular shunt installed when she was three. Although it is no longer functional, the mother was advised against having removed. The child was born three months preterm with severe complications. The girl is now 16 and her scoliosis is getting worse. Could this be due to the shunt adhereing internally and not allowing the spinal column to grow naturally? Could the tubing be "snipped" where it disappears under the clavicle to release the restrictions? The girl is also having increased temporal lobe seizures. The tubing follows her SCM from the temporal plate to the clavicle.
rajiv bhasin
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Jul 31, 2009 @ 1:01 am
thank u for the simple explanations..this article has helped me alot..cheerz
wonder
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Oct 16, 2009 @ 7:07 am
My father is having a shunt put in today from his head to his tummy because he had a coil put in and the spinal fluid builds up in the head what are the risks? Does he have a time limit or can he live forever? i hate asking that question but I would like to know for my self please reply thank you
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Feb 19, 2010 @ 9:09 am
I had a shunt put in my head 4 1/2 years ago and just recently I've been having dizziness, stomach upset and my shunt feels weird. Is this a sign there might be something wrong?
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Feb 19, 2010 @ 10:22 pm
My grandson was born premature at 24 months. Consequently his brain bleed required him to have a shunt in his brain to drain excess CSF. He is now 14 months and on 4th shunt replacement, 3 within the last 2 months. His curent shunt seems to be working but now is not holding down his food. The Dr. is using a binding on his stomach to assist the shunt to lower the pressure. I am not clear how this should work and am a little worried about this experiment. Has anyone else had this method used sucessfully ??
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Feb 25, 2010 @ 10:10 am
I had a shunt about 3 yrs ago. I am having severe headaches and stabbing leg pain. The headache always seem to be late afternoon or night. My shoulders, arms and back are numb and tingleing. Please advise if this could be caused by the shunt not draining properly.
Thanks Sandy
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May 11, 2010 @ 8:08 am
You state 'as many as 80% of shunts develop a mechanical problem at some point and need to be replaced'. My wife has recently had to have her shunt replaced, however the Royal Free Hospital in London, when asked in November 09 about the reliability of shunts and how often do they need replacing informed our GP that they very rarely fail!!
Can you shed some light on your figure of up to 80%
regards
Andy
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May 13, 2010 @ 9:21 pm
what is a shunt for and what is it used for, is the surgery very dangerous???
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Jun 20, 2010 @ 7:07 am
I have had mine since 1976 when I was 8yrs old since then I have had 10 ventricular shunt replacesments.Why do they keep failing or quit working what is the normal age of a shunt
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Jun 26, 2010 @ 4:16 pm
Seventeen years ago my son had a shunt put in prior to brain surgery for removal of a benign epidermoid tumor that was blocking the flow of CSF. The surgeon said he got all of the tumor and several MRIs over the years have indicated no recurrence of the tumor. A few days ago the plastic shunt tubing split in his neck and is causing pain at the breakage point. My question is what would be recommended to relieve his discomfort. Like many young Americans, he has no health insurance so this will be an out of pocket expence. Could only the plastic tubing be removed or should the entire valve and catheder also be removed? Can it be done as an outpatient procedure or is hospitalization required?
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Jun 29, 2010 @ 1:01 am
My 6 year old had a shunt fitted at 3 weeks old. She has complained the shunt is sore, has had vomiting and headache, but not too severe. Is there a chance the shunt could be blocked
Kate
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Sep 17, 2010 @ 4:16 pm
A week ago, a shunt was placed in my skull with the tubing running down the right side of my neck,chest and into my stomach. Why was it necessary that I had to have an incision in my stomach? My walking has not improved as of yet. With this, I imagine it requires patience. However, on my left side of my stomach I get an acute pain when walking (also when being touched.) I am to see the doctor for removal of staples on Tuesday. My question is why should it hurt on my left side of my stomach? Has this happened before to anyone before? My stomach feels quite queasy also. Thanks much.
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Oct 3, 2010 @ 8:08 am
My son has had a ventricular shunt since he was 7 months old. It was required a month or so after having surgery to remove a benign tumor in one of the ventricles the size of a golf ball he is also an identical twin except for the tumor. He is now 18 yrs old and has had no maintainence of replacement of the shunt. He now gets occasional bad headaches, Should he have the shunt removed and what is the procedure and the risk and also the longer term effects of tubing and shunt if he doesnt seek removal. Thank you in anticipation.
Steve
Melbourne Australia
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Oct 12, 2010 @ 12:12 pm
I just had a replacement and now having pains in my lower stomach. I wanted to know if the
tube is pushing fluid into certain cavities or what may be causing this? It doesn't happen every day, but a couple times a week. I also notice when I walk and exercise, it seems to stop.
I had my original shunt for 27yrs and then fell hitting the back of my head. I just wonder if I fell because the shunt was failing to work or broke and stopped working after the fall.
I fell again 6mos later on the front of on face and was taken to emergency hospital where they
did a CT. I started having balance and memory problems and taken to neurologist, then another CT
showed the ventricles had encreased and so a replacement of the shunt was done. A period of 6mos went by from the first fall and one month after the 2nd fall was the replacement.
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Oct 27, 2010 @ 10:22 pm
Kate,

I too had a shunt placed on the right side of my head with tubing going down behind my right ear, chest and into my abdomen on October 4th. So, it's been a little over 3 weeks now. I feel pretty queasy too and get sharp jabs in my abdomen. I just saw my surgeon yesterday, and he said there's tubing that winds around in my abdomen that presses on my bowels and other organs and having pain and discomfort is not unusual. He basically said it would eventually subside and I'd get used to it.

I have an incision in my abdomen too and I'm disappointed that it's in such a conspicuous place. Makes bikini wearing a thing of the past I guess. I wish you the best with your recovery and hope your uncomfortable feelings subside soon. Sue
Diana
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Oct 30, 2010 @ 5:17 pm
My nephew had a shunt placed as an infant 29 years ago. He originally had it in his abdomen but developed a cyst. After that it was placed in his heart where it remained uncomlicated for many years. He just recently started having severe headaches along with nausea and vomiting and so went to the ER. The doctor at that hospital placed a new shunt in his pleural cavity and stated he would never put it back in the heart as there were too many complications in the long run. My nephew has has been in the ER three times since it was placed in his pleural caviety with severe headaches, nausea and vomiting. He had the least complications with his shunt placed in his heart and I was wondering if it really was a poor choice for placement. Any advise would be appreciated.
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Nov 25, 2010 @ 11:23 pm
I like the article, but I want to know one thing. My mom had a shunt put in and a week later the shunt malfunction became infected and the tip of the shunt broke off into her small Intestine. The shunt was removed but my mom's neurlogical state was never the same. Is that normal for the tip of the shunt to break off into the small intestines?
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Dec 1, 2010 @ 7:07 am
My grandson has a vp shunt. I am curious as to whether you should be able to feel the shunt on the outside of the skin? You can feel his and it has like ridges in it. Is this normal?
joanne
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Dec 11, 2010 @ 5:05 am
My 12 year old son had a shunt fitted when he was 4year old due to a blood clot in the brain recently i have noticed he has problems moving his neck backwards could this be due to the tubing in his neck? I would be very grateful if you would get back to me asap from a very concerned parent
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Dec 27, 2010 @ 2:14 pm
Is it dangerous to do sit-ups if you have shunts? Can the snap?
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Jan 16, 2011 @ 6:06 am
I am 43 and have a vp shunt for about 7 years.. For the past 3 weeks I have a pain in my side where the shunt is. At times it is very sharp.. I have no appendix or gall bladder so I know it is not that. It is more up in the rib cage area,, Could my shunt beacme lodged in this area.? I think It is working fine.. No headaches
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Jan 17, 2011 @ 10:10 am
I have a 20 month old daughter that was fitted with a programable shunt 2 months after birth because of a severe brain bleed. She has developed normally and is in some areas ahead if anything. Last week tuesday night she started vomitting all night so we took her in to the hospital where we still are. They have done 2 CT scans and xrayed twice but everything looks good. They were treating her for a virus but hasnt gotten any better they put her on 2 diffrent antibotics yesterday. Every morning for the 3 days she vomitts once. She shouldnt be vomitting because she has not had anything except a IV since wensday morning. The doctors keep going back and forth from shunt to virus. They have decided to change setting to lower the pressure in her brain. Any other with same problems? What corrected it? Thanks Mike
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Jan 17, 2011 @ 11:23 pm
I had a ventricular perioteneial shunt put in jan 6 2011. Since august 2001 I have suffered severe migraines since I had meningitis. I have over the last 10 years I have suffered vision lose and severe nausea ans vomiting from my increasing migraines. I recently stated having severe dislexia with numbers and reading. My family worried about my health and my ability to cope with the more extreme physical symptoms. I even started having problems driving because I lost peripheral vision. My shunt was placed on the right side. The box is just under the scalp on the right and looks like I got bit there from the round incision I had two mini incisions on my scalp above my ear and behind my ear on my neck. I also have a huge uncision on my belly. I experience pain from the shunt in my side and in my belly. They say it is normal. My tube is visible under the skin I look like a klingon. Where it protrudes from the box. I gave regained some sight back already since surgery and I got my staples out today I had 39 total. I just wish I didnt feel the pain in my belly from the shunt. I use a heating pad to help.
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Feb 14, 2011 @ 10:10 am
My father, 79 years old, had a programmable shunt implanted after being diagnosed with NPH. He has been misdiagnosed for about 7 years. He has made remarkable progress in all three of the triad symptoms. Last Monday he had a violent seizure and has since been put on anti-seizure medication. His neurosurgeon looked at his CT scan results from the ER and says everything looks OK with the shunt. He has NEVER had a seizure before and I suspect it has something to do with the shunt which was implanted 2 1/2 months ago. His brain function is very slow and he is falling again and very tired. His doctor says it just takes a long time to recover from a seizure at his age. Could the neurosurgeon be wrong? Could the seizure be an indication that something is wrong with his shunt functioning? I would very much appreciate any information.
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Mar 17, 2011 @ 7:07 am
my brodher had a surgery for shunt 3 years ago.that shunt is working normal but now he have same symptoms(vomiting,headaches,lack of concentration and problem in walking ) again now the doctors said he need second shunt.is it gonna effect the first one ?Is there is a possibilty he might need another shunt in future.thanks
Tish
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Mar 30, 2011 @ 10:22 pm
My son is 8yr old and shunted at 10 days old. He has recently been glued to me or my husbands side. Normally very independent and out going. He says that about every five minutes it it like his body will freeze and it feels like there are thousands on needles poking him from the inside out. He says it is for like a split second. Also his entire body aches a lot of the time. He has had malfunctions before but he has complained of his head hurting really bad in the bast when it goes bad. What are you thoughts.
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Apr 1, 2011 @ 4:04 am
My brother is 23 yrs old and shunted in oct 2010. Since then my brother is unable to stand up or talk normally he also has epilepsy problem since childhood. its been 7 months but we dont see any sign going towards betterment. we have been consulting a Dr. who was involved in the shunting process but didnt get any good response. kindly advice what to do we are rly worried about him and rly want see him stand again and start his normal lyf. Our Life and happiness is binded with him if he's happy we fell to if he isnt we dont like to do anything. please suggest what to do. his eyes sight has also been effected and cant see properly.
Fabiola charcas
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Apr 19, 2011 @ 9:09 am
Hi.. I want to ask a question about the shunt.. My dauther got the shunt on the vertical vein and I want to know if the shunt works 100% there is cause my dauther she had alot problems with the shunt on her belly and on her shest and the neurosery dicide to put it on the heart vein and scare that why I want to know if shunt is going to work there... Or how am going to know when the shunt is not working.. thakzz. Fabiola
fabiola charcad
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Apr 19, 2011 @ 10:10 am
Hi.. My name is fabiola and I want to ask a question about the verticular vein shunt is cause my dauther had the a vp shunr on the rightverticular vein and I want to know if the shunt works 100% there is cause she already had alot of problemd withe shunt on her bely and her shest she dint tolereted and know they put it in the hearth the last option and am scared for the shunt to get infected and I would like to know if the symtoms are can be same or different?? Thankzz and I would preciate if u can answer my questions. Thank u..
miranda
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Apr 30, 2011 @ 2:02 am
hi,
i'm 17 and i have a vp shunt, and i was wondering i've been having like shooting(on and off) pains why is this and also my right eyes optic nerve is enlarged which all my eye docs think it could be glacoma,and they do some tests and it's not,so could this be something wrong with my shunt or what i've never had it replaced!
thanks miranda.
Diana
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Jun 2, 2011 @ 1:01 am
Miranda, you really should see your neuro!! You might even consider the ER! At 13(I am now almost 20), I experienced a snapped shunt, which lead to blurry/double vision and for a month it went untreated, until I saw my opthamologist for a check up. He noticed overwhelming pressure on my optic nerve and sent me straight to the ER. I had surgery the next day to have a new tube placed.

Good luck!!
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Jun 2, 2011 @ 1:13 pm
I had a VT stunt placed twenty years ago. I have an increase of pain. I also have cronic bronchial infection. Does this effect the valve. And why do amphetamines ease the pain?
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Jun 11, 2011 @ 6:18 pm
I do have a question, my husband had a ventriculoparietal shunt, at age 2 1/2, it needed replacement at age 12. Would he be able to live without a shunt after that?
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Jul 12, 2011 @ 3:15 pm
If someone has a shunt in the brain should
they avord stress and if so why?
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Jul 16, 2011 @ 6:18 pm
why does my partners shunt feel sore sometimes? and why all the headaches?
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Aug 5, 2011 @ 8:08 am
I had my VP Shunt fitted in 1998 and it failed in 2009 or possibly earlier. It is unclear due to another hospitals blunder when I had a Tonic clonic seizure. It was discovered that a black mass that was described as being 'scar tissue on Occipital Lobe' was in fact an infection of the STAPH kind...not nice. John Radcliffe replaced nasty VP with a nice EVT (Ommaya Reservoir) as I was a prime candidate. BUT...We have suspicions they left the TUBE from the VP in my stomach!!! There WAS NO FRESH STITCHES on abdomen, so how did they remove the PIPE? I am having absolute pain and agony, just like I did before. Not one person will answer just saying its scar tissue, fine but now its spread UPWARDS to my breast bone and now diffcult to breath. SO, HAS ANYONE HAD A VP SHUNT REMMOVED AND DID THEY HAVE STITCHES ON THEIR ABDOMENN? Oh by the way, Ommaya is wonderful!!
AC
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Aug 26, 2011 @ 5:17 pm
two eeks ago, I had a vp shunt placed(which i have little memory of). On 01Jan2009, I was rushed to the ER with massive headache, womiting and seizures. It was found I had alarge brain tumor on my right frontal lobe. It was causing such massive swelling, it was shifting my brain completely over. Until my vp shunt, I was living with hydrocephalus, headaches, seizures daily. Since the shunt, I have had more impairements. Drastic memory changes worse than before the shunt.headaches and seizures continue. Adominal pain, sharp shooting pains starting in my abdomen radiating down towards my rectum.Sleep and appetite changes as well. My husband contacted my neurosurgeon's office. He did not speak with my dr. only with the nurse. She stated these things were normal but highly rare. Really scared. Are these normal and I shouldn't worry? Please any advice, comments or opinions regarding this would be appreciated.
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Sep 5, 2011 @ 7:07 am
Hello, my father has recently been diagnosed with meningitus, he has been in the hospital for 2 weeks now and unable to breath on his own. They have recenlty found build up of fluid in the brain and installed a ventricular shunt, since then his oxygen level has been very touchy expecially if he is laying on his left side. they have determined lat there is fluid build up in his left lung and have also recently found after a ct scan that the shunt was draining too much fluid??? My question is if it is possible for the fluid to be draining into the lung, and what may need to be done?
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Sep 26, 2011 @ 8:20 pm
can a person live with 2 shunts in his brain? my nephew had a surgery 4 days ago, but the doctors did not remove the other shunt, could this be possible?
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Oct 1, 2011 @ 2:14 pm
My son has had his shunt since may 5, 2009, shortly after that he had several revision between aug 28-sep 4, 2009. After that he was doing okay until sept 9,2011 he had another revision. He wasnt eating or drink, he was just very irritable so after the revision he was doing good for 2days I took him back to the hospital and they did x-rays & ct scans ALL came back normal. Got sent home & still he was the same came back once again & they said he had a virus, stayed over night and got home 4days later back to the way he was but this time complaining his tummy hurt, so once again back to the hospital ct scan & x-rays NORMAL! On top of that his blood pressure is sky rocket just like his heart rate, but they are giving him meds fir his blood pressure which they only work for awhile & The dr did blood test, tested for an infection & still tests NORMAL!! We've been in the hospital since & they don't know whats going on!! I'm thinking something is going on with his shunt but all tests normal & idk what to do any advice I'm lost here!!??
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Oct 10, 2011 @ 3:15 pm
I saw a 13 year old child who developed strokes in the occipital lobes after correcting a shunt malfunction from the lateral ventricles. Is it possible from draining too much CSF or upward herniation or both
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Oct 17, 2011 @ 5:05 am
My daughter got a VP Shunt when she was 7 months old. We go for regular check ups...but I am concerned as she has been complaining that the place in her head where the shunt is located hurts...should I be concerned or worried?
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Nov 7, 2011 @ 10:22 pm
I had a VP shunt placed in 1996. Then suffered an anyerism in 2004.The tubing had grown into my brain mass and could not be removed.Is this common for the tubing to grow to the brain? I now have 2 shunts in my head and have suffered with headaches.
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Nov 14, 2011 @ 10:10 am
My 17 yo son had a vp shunt placed 1 yr ago after having 2 lobes removed for malformation and seizures. He is seizure free, but having feeling of needles stinging his face, head and neck for about 15 seconds. He was having a few a month, but now that we are weaning his last med, he is having 9-13 of these in a 24 hr period. MD feels the shunt is lying on a nerve. Has anyone else had this symptom? No pain, just look of fear on his face. Thanks
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Nov 22, 2011 @ 4:16 pm
my son 4 mnths had a vp shunt placed,As his ventricles were dialeted.at the starting he had pass in his brain due to some infection. is it possible that he could live without a shunt anytime in life.
Jeff
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Dec 13, 2011 @ 1:01 am
Hi, My name is Jeff (35Years old). I have a ventricular Schunt paced in my head and goes through my body to my stomach. I have an older brother that thinks it is funny to smack me in the back of my head as a joke. I am worried that this may trigger a seizure or affect the cyst in an adverse way. Am I correct that it can affect my cyst?
sally
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Dec 22, 2011 @ 3:15 pm
My mom had a ventricular shunt placed in her head about a week later we notice she always stayed sleep barely waking up. About the 8th day we were informed the shunt became infected and she had to go to the operating room. Upon being on the table we were informed that the tip of the shunt broke off and they had to cut open her belly to find it. Well they did find it, in her small bowels. My first question about this is it normal for the tip to break off?
About a month later she had to have another shunt put in, well we were afraid because we didn't want this shunt to become infected as well so we ask how would they know if it was working. They informed us that they would know that she would be having ct regualarly which never happen. Well a couple of weeks later my mom started with the sleeping again when we would try to wake her up she would open her eyes and back to sleep this went on for days. So we ask the doctor's can they check the pressure of her brain. Well upon doing that, they release some fluid and my mom woke up. No my question is If the pressure was building up again that meant the shunt was working?
My mom started sleeping again and this time we notice that she open her eyes and it looked like she was following the ceiling in a circle for a couple of days. Well me and my sister work in the hospital and notice that our mom was having a seizure so we notified the nurse of this and then my mom began biting at her tongue, well within a couple of days after they had been giving my mom advant, the seizure didn't stop. Once she was rushed to the ER, I noticed when I open up my mom's eye's her eye's were bluish grey, when the doctor's came in her began taking this dial and putting up to my mom's head where the shunt was. He informed the other doctor that the dial was sent to high and that it was draining to my of the fluid and that it went into the crainial of her brain, so back to surgery she went. My mom never recovered after that, An EEG was done the next day, we were so upset that we didn't ask for the result of that but I bet there was no brain activity on that scan. If possible can you explain how this could have happen? My family needs closure.
ellie
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Jan 16, 2012 @ 9:09 am
My Dd is 82 - Had the brain shunt put in behind his ear - Three days later he had horroble headaches and was sent ot the hospital from the VA - They said that too much water had been released from the brain - The brain shrunk and pulled away from the skull causing a hematoma which they are montiroing and say will absorb itslef - They re-adjusted the shunt- I wen tt see him yesteday and he is out of his mind- No pain but totally confused about EVERYTHING - We had the stent put in because he was totally confused about everything BEFORE - and then only for ONE DAY we had our dad back - he was totally lucid and fine and BAM - right back to looney land. Did the hematoma cause damage? It is not a subdural hematoma - Will he improve again ? He cant walk and that is another reason we had the stent put in because his balance was terrible from the excess water on the brain
Ranee
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Jan 16, 2012 @ 2:14 pm
I have IH and had a vp shunt put in on Dec 2, 11...and for a week my pinky has been numb(tingly/sleepy feeling) and today i woke up and my whole arm is numb..kinda worried but dont really know what I should do or if it is anything to worry about
caroline
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Jan 19, 2012 @ 6:06 am
i have a vp shunt i got in done when i was 12 and i now am 16 i get very bad head aches at time and i can feel where the shunt is
ayusi agarwal
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Jan 20, 2012 @ 6:06 am
Hi,
My sister in law had a vp shunt done, now she is developing seizures, headache and symptoms of shunt, i would like to understand that will that effect her married life and what are the of risk involved relating to her life?
Robin
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Feb 7, 2012 @ 6:18 pm
Tawanda,

My daughter had a VP shunt at birth all was fine for the last 7 years. Last year she had 4 revisions in 3 months. She was diagnosed with split ventricles. The VP shunts was replace with a anti syphoning device and ricum. Since being home for the last 6 month not a day goes by that she doesn't have nausea (without vomitting)some day worse than others. MRI and check-ups say she is "clinically" well. No medications have worked. Doctor can give no answers. My wife and I do not no what to do either. Have you have any success?

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