The necessity of shunt series

Abstract

<jats:sec> <jats:title>Object</jats:title> <jats:p>This work assessed the value of shunt series in the evaluation of children with CSF shunts, a test that is frequently ordered as part of the assessment of shunt integrity.</jats:p></jats:sec> <jats:sec> <jats:title>Methods</jats:title> <jats:p>The medical records of all children who underwent shunt series at Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario between 1975 and 2007 were reviewed. Ancillary studies that were performed within 2 days of the shunt series (brain CT, MR imaging, ultrasonography, and radionuclide shuntography) were noted, as well as the subsequent requirement for a shunt revision. Shunt series and ancillary studies were categorized as either positive (revealing an observable sign that a shunt-related problem was present, such as shunt discontinuity on the shunt series or enlargement of the ventricles on the brain CT scan) or negative (no clear sign of a shunt-related problem). Shunt series were further grouped into shunt series performed for diagnostic reasons, shunt series performed on a routine basis during follow-up in clinic, and shunt series performed postoperatively. The length of time between shunt insertion and shunt fracture was noted. Statistical analyses were performed, including the derivation of sensitivities and specificities.</jats:p></jats:sec> <jats:sec> <jats:title>Results</jats:title> <jats:p>There were 3416 shunt series in 394 patients, of which 3004 were performed with ancillary studies. On average, patients underwent 9 shunt series, with a minimum of 1 and a maximum of 43, during the follow-up period (range 3 weeks to 19 years). A total of 2493 shunt series and ancillary studies (83%) yielded negative results and no surgery was performed. One hundred thirty shunts series were negative with a positive ancillary study (4.3%) and no surgery was required. In 8.7% (261 shunt series negative, ancillary studies positive) shunt revision surgery was necessary. The opposite trend was far less prevalent (17 shunt series positive, ancillary test negative; 0.6%) in which surgery was required. There were 87 patients with 96 shunt fractures (2.8% of shunt series). The average time between shunt insertion and shunt fracture was 7.9 years (range 3 months to 18 years). Shunt series had a sensitivity of 18% and a specificity of 97%. The ancillary studies had a sensitivity of 84% and a specificity of 85%.</jats:p></jats:sec> <jats:sec> <jats:title>Conclusions</jats:title> <jats:p>The routine utilization of shunt series in the evaluation of a child with a CSF shunt is not necessary. This study showed that a very small number (0.6%) of shunt series helped in surgical decision making. Shunt series can be performed in selected cases, especially preoperatively in the absence of a baseline study to obtain information necessary for surgical planning.</jats:p></jats:sec>

Pediatric hydrocephalus outcomes: a review

“…MRI poses a different problem in infants who require sedation, even with specific quick sequences [91]. The practice of routine shunt series is based on the possibility of asymptomatic disruption or migration preceding overt shunt malfunction [82], and its yield has been evaluated at 1.4% [92]. Whether such a rate justifies routine shunt series or not is debatable.…”

The hydrokinetic parameters of shunts for hydrocephalus might be inadequate

“…Considering that all shunting devices whose functioning is based on a valve that responds to internal hydrostatic pressure have failed after six decades of countless designs and that in the opinion of most experts, we are still far from achieving an ideal shunt,[26162325324251596062] it might be time to reconsider the fundamental principles upon which all technological research for shunts has been grounded and adopt a novel stratagem. An innovative model could be based on CSF production,[1047] rather than on hydrostatic pressure.…”

Is Postoperative Imaging Mandatory after Meningioma Removal? Results of a Prospective Study

“…In other surgical specialties such as urology and maxillofacial surgery, there is research in progress displaying the limited value of postoperative imaging [ 11 , 12 ]. Also, neurosurgeons have questioned standard pre- and postoperative procedures[ 13 ] and demonstrated limited value of routine PI in craniosynostosis surgery[ 14 ] and shunt series[ 15 ]. Although it is common practice to obtain postoperative imaging in patients receiving surgery on intracranial lesions, the displayed findings often do not have clinical significance.…”