Treatment Options for Hydrocephalus

The standard treatment for hydrocephalus is to implant a shunt. The shunt drains and redirects excess cerebrospinal fluid from the brain’s ventricles to another part of the body. Shunts, like those available from Medtronic, can help children and adults with hydrocephalus lead full, active lives.

Shunts

The current standard treatment for hydrocephalus is the surgical implantation of a shunt. A shunt redirects cerebrospinal fluid to another part of the body. This lets the brain’s enlarged ventricles return to a more normal size in an effort to relieve the symptoms of hydrocephalus.

Shunts are made from silicone and plastic. All components of the shunt are placed under the skin. There are no parts on the outside of the body.

Endoscopic Third Ventriculostomy

An endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV) is a surgical procedure that focuses on relieving the build-up of cerebrospinal fluid pressure in the brain’s third ventricle. The procedure is done via an "intracranial cerebrospinal fluid diversion." A tiny perforation is made in the wall of the third ventricle using endoscopes, allowing excess cerebrospinal fluid to drain into one of the body’s normal cerebrospinal fluid spaces.

This therapy is not for everyone. Please contact your doctor. A prescription is required.

Next: About Shunts