The Sensor Reservoir—does it change management?

Acta Neurochirurgica (2021)Cite this article

Abstract

Background

The Miethke Sensor Reservoir sits within a ventriculoperitoneal shunt system to give a reading of the pressure within the shunt. This information can guide the management of hydrocephalus patients who present frequently with headaches.

Methods

We reviewed a cohort of 12 patients who underwent implantation of a Sensor Reservoir to assess how the management of their symptoms changed over a 4-year period.

Results

When comparing the group before the Sensor Reservoir and after the Sensor Reservoir insertion, there was a 75% reduction in number of CT head scans (P<0.05), 100% reduction in episodes of ICP monitoring (P<0.05), 55% reduction in number of X-ray shunt series, and a 50% reduction in acute presentation to hospital with shunt-related symptoms. The number of clinic attendances increased by 44%. In addition, cost analysis showed a saving of £6952 per patients over the 2-year period following Sensor Reservoir insertion as a result of reduced admissions and investigations. Complications were seen in 3 patients—two patients developed shunt-related infections, and 1 patient underwent shunt revision due to a proximal shunt obstruction. Seventy-five percent of patients showed an improvement in their symptoms at the end of the 4-year period.

Conclusion

Implantation of a Sensor Reservoir in shunt patients with chronic headaches can reduce the number of investigations and hospital admissions and guide management resulting in a clinical improvement.

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Abbreviations

SR:

Sensor Reservoir

ICP:

Intracranial pressure

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Acknowledgements

The authors would like to acknowledge Mr Saurabh Sinha for his critical appraisal of this study, Ms Sally-Ann Collins who provided and cared for study patients, and Mr Mark Sutherland for statistical support.

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Affiliations

  1. Department of Neurosurgery, The Royal Hallamshire Hospital, S10 2JF, Sheffield, UK

    Anna Bjornson, Duncan Henderson, John McMullan & Shungu Ushewokunze

  2. Department of Neurosurgery, Sheffield Children’s Hospital, Sheffield, UK

    Esther Lawrence, John McMullan & Shungu Ushewokunze

Authors
  1. Anna Bjornson
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  2. Duncan Henderson
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  3. Esther Lawrence
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  4. John McMullan
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  5. Shungu Ushewokunze
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Anna Bjornson.

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Bjornson, A., Henderson, D., Lawrence, E. et al. The Sensor Reservoir—does it change management?. Acta Neurochir (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00701-021-04729-y

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Keywords

  • Hydrocephalus
  • Ventriculoperitoneal shunt
  • Sensor Reservoir