Benefits and Risks – Shunt Therapy

Although there is currently no cure for hydrocephalus, a shunt, like those from Medtronic, can help relieve some of the symptoms of the condition.

Benefits

A shunt redirects cerebrospinal fluid from the nervous system to another area of the body. This technique allows the brain’s enlarged ventricles to return to a more normal size in an effort to relieve the symptoms of hydrocephalus.

A shunt is designed to:

• Regulate the amount, flow direction, and pressure of cerebrospinal fluid out of the brain’s ventricles
• Provide an easy way for your healthcare team to get cerebrospinal fluid samples (with a valve reservoir)

Risks

Unlike most surgical procedures, in which the risks are highest during the operation itself, most of the common problems associated with shunting can and do occur at a later time.

The most common complications with shunting are obstruction, infection, and over drainage of cerebrospinal fluid.

Shunt Obstruction

Obstruction is the most common complication of shunting. The blockage may occur at any point along the shunt, and will produce signs and symptoms of increased pressure in the head. These symptoms will vary depending upon the degree of obstruction and person’s age.

Symptoms of obstruction may include:

• Periodic headache
• Nausea and vomiting
• Drowsiness, listlessness, and decreased mental function

Emergency hospitalization may be required if the person becomes confused and slow to react or comatose. A neurosurgeon will run tests to determine the nature of the obstruction. He or she may remove or replace the obstructed part of the shunt.

Infection

Infection is a risk of all surgical operations, especially when a foreign body like a shunt is implanted. If left untreated, infection can cause the wound to open up or cause systemic infection with chills and high fever.

Infection usually requires removal of the shunt. In some cases, the infection can be controlled with intensive antibiotic therapy without removing the shunt.

Symptoms of infection may include unusual redness or swelling of the wounds or along the length of the shunt.

Over Drainage

Over drainage generally happens when gravity drains too much fluid from the person’s ventricles while the individual is upright.

Symptoms of over drainage may include:

• A headache that gets worse when standing and improves when lying down
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Drowsiness
• Changes in vision, particularly double vision
• Declining performance in school

Next: Getting a Device