An ETV is a safe procedure with few complications and a high success rate in both primary and secondary groups. An ETV to address shunt malfunction, unlike a primary ETV, is not particularly origin specific. A bonus is its success in dealing with infected shunts. Most failures will be evident early, but long-term follow up is vital.

Our experience indicates that both LP shunts and VP shuts are effective in controlling all the clinical manifestations of IIH in the immediate postoperative period. Failure rates are slightly higher for VP shunts (14%) than LP shunts (11%). However, revision rates are higher with LP shunts (60%) than with VP shunts (30%).

Endoscopic third ventriculostomy is a safe and durable means of controlling hydrocephalus in tumor cases. Its success rate is high--comparable to that reported in aqueduct stenosis cases. Although ETB is probably not as accurate for diagnosis as biopsy with frame-based stereotactic guidance, it is associated with a lower mortality rate and, in the correct clinical setting, may be justifiably attempted as an initial biopsy procedure at the same time as ETV via a single-trajectory approach.

Candida infection following neurosurgery remains a relatively rare occurrence but one that causes significant mortality. These are complex infections, the management of which benefits from a close liaison between the clinical microbiologist and neurosurgeon. Prompt initiation of antifungal agents and removal of infected devices offers the best hope of a cure.