Shuntography for Functional Evaluation of Ventriculo-Peritoneal Shunt in Children

Summary

The usefulness of shuntography in cases of shunt malfunction was evaluated. Metrizamide (1–4 ml) was injected into the flushing device 55 times in 40 children who developed malfunction of ventriculo-peritoneal shunts for hydrocephalus. A flushing device manometric test was performed at the same time. Shunt revision was performed 50 times in 38 children; shuntography findings were evaluated and classified into six types and intra-operative findings were classified into five groups. Shuntogram and intra-operative findings were then compared. Shuntography indicated the location and the cause of malfunction; operative findings could be anticipated using shuntography evaluations.

Shuntography and the manometric test proved to be simple, safe, and useful preoperative examinations in cases of shunt malfunction.