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• Conditions (26): Hydrocephalus, Dandy Walker Syndrome, Genetic and Rare Conditions, and 23 others Hydrocephalus, Dandy Walker Syndrome, Genetic and Rare Conditions, Brain and Nervous System, CNS disorder, Menkes Kinky Hair Syndrome, nervous system disorder, Congenital disease of brain, Epilepsy, Rett syndrome, Congenital Hydrocephalus, Tuberous Sclerosis, Hydrocephalus, Normal Pressure, Neonatal disorder, Intracranial Hypertension, Alzheimer's Disease, Cerebral degeneration, Cystic Fibrosis, Self-Injury, Neural Tube Defects, Children's Health, Brain Diseases, Leukodystrophy, Cerebral atrophy, Brain Edema, Zellweger Syndrome [hide]
• Groups (1): hydrocephalus hydrocephalus [hide]
• Symptoms (6): Headache, Mental Retardation, Hydrocephalus Adverse Event, and 3 others Headache, Mental Retardation, Hydrocephalus Adverse Event, Cerebrovascular Disorders, Cerebral ventriculomegaly, abnormal accumulation of body fluid [hide]
• Treatments (16): Procedures, Endoscopic Third Ventriculostomy, Hydrocephalus, and 13 others Procedures, Endoscopic Third Ventriculostomy, Hydrocephalus, Hydrocephalus, cerebral malacia, sub-dural hematoma, Pneumatic dilatation for achalasia, Heller's myotomy for achalasia, revisions, Esophageal Dilatation, Operations on the integumentary system, respiratory system surgery, Digestive System Surgical Procedures, Endocrine Surgical Procedures, OPERATIONS ON THE MALE GENITAL ORGANS, Cystectomy, radical cystectomy, Gynecologic Surgical Procedures [hide]

About Cerebral Shunt

In cases of hydrocephalus, a one-way valve, called a cerebral shunt, is used to drain excess cerebrospinal fluid from the brain and carry it to other parts of the body. This valve usually sits outside the skull, but beneath the skin, somewhere behind the ear. Although a shunt generally works well, it may... more

In cases of hydrocephalus, a one-way valve, called a cerebral shunt, is used to drain excess cerebrospinal fluid from the brain and carry it to other parts of the body. This valve usually sits outside the skull, but beneath the skin, somewhere behind the ear.

Although a shunt generally works well, it may stop working if it disconnects, becomes blocked, or it is outgrown. If this happens the cerebrospinal fluid will begin to accumulate again and a number of physical symptoms will develop such as listlessness, headaches, irritability, light sensitivity, sound sensitivity, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, vertigo, migraines, some extremely serious, like seizures.

The shunt failure rate is also relatively high and it is not uncommon for patients to have multiple shunt revisions within their lifetime.

The diagnosis of cerebro-spinal buildup is complex and requires expertise.

Spitz-Holter

A common pediatric shunt is the Spitz-Holter shunt. It is a tiny one-way valve that releases controlled amounts of CSF from the brain to the heart. Spitz refers to the American neurosurgeon Eugene B. Spitz. Holter refers to the designer of the valve, John Holter, who was unable to save his son Casey from hydrocephalus, but his design, the Spitz-Holter valve/shunt, has helped millions around the world since the late 1950s.

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