RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Assessment of Ventricular Shunt Patency by Sonography: A New Noninvasive Test
JF American Journal of Neuroradiology
JO Am. J. Neuroradiol.
FD American Society of Neuroradiology
SP 439
OP 442
VO 7
IS 3
A1 Donald J. Widder
A1 Kenneth R. Davis
A1 Juan M. Taveras
YR 1986
UL http://www.ajnr.org/content/7/3/439.abstract
AB This report describes a new test of patency of the ventricular component of a ventriculoperitoneal shunt that precludes injection into the shunt reservoir. Preliminary clinical experience confirms that digital compression of the ventricular shunt reservoir (Cordis standard and pediatric reservoir), while occluding the shunt distal to the reservoir, generates microbubbles that increase the echogenicity of the catheter, demonstrating shunt patency. In vitro, the extrusion of microbubbles from catheter side holes can be imaged during digital compression of the reservoir, but so far this has not been imaged in patients as a direct sign of shunt patency. A sonographic means of assessing shunt function offers the advantage of simultaneously imaging the ventricular catheter, determining its location, and assessing the etiology of shunt failure. Its usefulness is limited to pediatric cases in which an adequate transfontanelle cranial sonographic study can be obtained and to individuals with large craniotomy defects.