Lumboperitoneal shunt for the treatment of pseudotumor cerebri.

Abstract

We conducted a retrospective study of 27 patients with pseudotumor cerebri (PTC) treated with at least one lumboperitoneal shunt (LPS) to ascertain the efficacy of this treatment. The average duration of follow-up for this population was 77 months (median, 47 months), with a range of 21 to 278 months. A functioning LPS was successful in alleviating symptoms in all patients studied, and no patient with a functioning shunt complained of shunt-related symptoms, such as low-pressure headache or abdominal pain, within 2 months after the shunt was performed. Twelve patients (44%) required no revisions. The number of revisions among the 15 patients (56%) who required them ranged from 1 (5 patients) to 13 (1 patient). Three of these patients required 35 of the 66 total shunt revisions (53%). There were no major complications from LPS, other than failure of the shunt, even in patients who required multiple shunts. We conclude that placement of a lumboperitoneal shunt is satisfactory treatment for the majority of patients with PTC who require surgical therapy for the disorder, even though some patients ultimately require multiple shunt revisions.

• Authors: E R Eggenberger, N R Miller, S Vitale
• Journal: Neurology (Neurology) Vol. 46 Issue 6 Pg. 1524-30 (Jun 1996) ISSN: 0028-3878 [Print] United States
• PMID: 8649541 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S., Review)

Topics

• Adult
• Cerebrospinal Fluid Shunts
• Child
• Female
• Follow-Up Studies
• Headache (etiology)
• Humans
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Nerve Compression Syndromes (etiology)
• Papilledema (etiology)
• Peritoneal Cavity
• Postoperative Complications (epidemiology)
• Pseudotumor Cerebri (complications, surgery)
• Recurrence
• Retrospective Studies
• Spinal Nerve Roots
• Treatment Outcome
• Vision Disorders (etiology)