Paradigm shift in hydrocephalus research in legacy of Dandy’s pioneering work: rationale for third ventriculostomy in communicating hydrocephalus

Objective This study aims to question the generally accepted cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) bulk flow theory suggesting that the CSF is exclusively absorbed by the arachnoid villi and that the cause of hydrocephalus is a CSF absorption deficit. In addition, this study aims to briefly describe the new hydrodynamic concept of hydrocephalus and the rationale for endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV) in communicating hydrocephalus. Critique The bulk flow theory has proven incapable of explaining the pivotal mechanisms behind communicating hydrocephalus. Thus, the theory is unable to explain why the ventricles enlarge, why the CSF pressure remains normal and why some patients improve after ETV. Hydrodynamic concept of hydrocephalus Communicating hydrocephalus is caused by decreased intracranial compliance increasing the systolic pressure transmission into the brain parenchyma. The increased systolic pressure in the brain distends the brain towards the skull and simultaneously compresses the periventricular region of the brain against the ventricles. The final result is the predominant enlargement of the ventricles and narrowing of the subarachnoid space. The ETV reduces the increased systolic pressure in the brain simply by venting ventricular CSF through the stoma. The patent aqueduct in communicating hydrocephalus is too narrow to vent the CSF sufficiently.     

Flexible and floating choroid plexus cyst of the third ventricle: an ultrasonographic video documentation

Introduction Choroid plexus cysts can lead to isolation of the lateral ventricles and distension of the third ventricle. We present an ultrasonographic video documentation of an infant with variably shaped and localized choroid plexus cyst of the third ventricle. Case report An infant had periods of increased intracranial pressure with changing dilatation of the first to third ventricle. Cerebral ultrasonography of the not crying boy demonstrated a choroid plexus cyst limply hanging down from the roof of the third ventricle to the beginning of the aqueduct of Sylvius. During crying, the cyst prolapsed from the third into left lateral ventricle and was strangled by the foramen of Monro. Endoscopic cyst fenestration and third ventriculostomy continuously solved the problem of intermittent hydrocephalus occlusus. Conclusion Depending not only on localization and size but also on cyst form and cerebrospinal fluid pressure, a single choroid plexus cyst can cause various obstructions of cerebrospinal fluid pathways.     

梗阻性脑积水侧脑室及室周脑组织生物力学响应的有限元分析

目的运用有限元方法对梗阻性脑积水进行计算机模拟,研究分析侧脑室及室周脑组织的生物力学响应及其所产生的病理生理影响。方法依据正常国人颅脑MRI轴位T2加权图像获取解剖信息,在有限元软件ANSYS中生成包含侧脑室前、后角和体部的半侧脑层面的二维有限元模型。模拟脑组织为固、液两相物质组成的线性多孔弹性材料,设定生物力学特性参数及边界条件和初始条件,施加载荷,运用有限元软件ABAQUS进行计算求解,以云图形式输出结果。结果有限元模型动态模拟了梗阻性脑积水侧脑室各部的扩张过程,直观显示出各个时间步室周脑组织内的应力类型及分布、各部的应变和位移。结论膨胀性应力集中引起角部脑水肿;梗阻性脑积水早期侧脑室角部形态变化最明显;体部附近脑组织结构容易受压移位。这些生物力学响应是室内压增高的结果,也与侧脑室的解剖形态密切相关。     

脑室-腹腔分流术后颅内感染的诊治（附9例报告）

目的探讨脑室-腹腔分流术（VPS）后颅内感染的处理原则。方法9例VPS后颅内感染病人中，7例拔除分流材料，4例行脑室外引流术，1例脑室内植入Ommaya囊，2例择期再次行VPS；根据脑脊液细菌培养和药敏试验结果，静脉联合鞘内或脑室内应用敏感抗生素。结果7例完全治愈，2例因经济原因放弃治疗，治愈率为77．8％（7／9）。结论①早期诊断、及时去除分流材料、合理应用抗生索是治疗VPS后颅内感染的基本原则；②与腹部手术相关的逆行性VPS后颅内感染值得重视；③严格的无菌术是其预防的根本。     

Endoscopic observation of pathophysiology of ventricular diverticulum

Background Although there have been reports dealing with ventricular diverticulum (VD) analyzed by cisternography and computed tomography (CT), those focusing on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or neuroendoscopic findings are rare. Case report We present a case of noncommunicating hydrocephalus caused by aqueductal stenosis with cystic lesion located in supracerebellar region. Third ventriculostomy was performed on this case. The conventional CT and MRI were compatible with usual VD, but neuroendoscopic examination suggested otherwise. The endoscopic view inside of the cystic lesion demonstrated passing veins and no membrane. We diagnosed this cystic lesion as a unique subtype of advanced VD mimicking spontaneous ventriculostomy. Endoscopic observation of the cyst was very useful for accurate diagnosis and safe treatment.     

Transcranial doppler ultrasonography for the evaluation of shunt malfunction in pediatric patients

Previous studies have demonstrated a high correlation between hydrocephalus and the resistive index (RI), as determined by transcranial Doppler ultrasonography. Measurements of RI, calculated by dividing the difference between the peak systolic velocity and the enddiastolic velocity by the peak systolic velocity, were attempted in 55 pediatric patients during evaluations for ventriculoperitoneal shunt malfunctions; values were obtained in 52. Indications of shunt malfunction included both clinical and radiographic evidence of increased intracranial pressure. Eleven patients, determined to have functional shunts both by clincal criteria and subsequent outcome, had RIs of 47±5 (average±1 standard deviation). Shunt malfunctions were confirmed in 41 patients. Prior to shunt revisions, these 41 patients has RIs of 71±10%; following revision, the RIs fell to 53±12%. Nine patients had had pre-malfunction RIs of 48±11% obtained during routine follow-ups; when they subsequently had shunt malfunctions, their RIs had significantly increased. Four of the 41 patients with shunt malfunctions had essentially normal RIs (52±7%), but had fluid tracking along the shunt; in these, RIs were essentially unaffected by shunt revision. For comparison, 119 pediatric patients with clinically functional ventriculoperitoneal shunts had RIs of 50±9%. The data, statistically significant with a P value of <0.001, showed a correlation between elevated RIs and shunt malfunction; thus, transcranial Doppler ultrasonography is a practical, non-invasive technique useful in the diagnosis of ventriculoperitoneal shunt malfunction.Presented at the Annual Meeting of the Pediatric Section of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons, Washington D.C., November 1989     

The diagnosis of blocked cerebrospinal fluid shunts: a prospective study of referral to a paediatric neurosurgical unit

A prospective study was undertaken of all children referred to the Hospital for Sick Children with a provisional diagnosis of shunt blockage over a 5-month period. Fifty-two admissions were recorded, relating to 45 children, 5 of whom had multiple admissions. Only 19 of the 52 admissions led to a final diagnosis of shunt malfunction. No source of referral, whether by the child's general practitioner or from another hospital, was found to be more accurate than direct referral by the parents to the neurosurgical ward. Headache, vomiting and irritability were not significant indicators as to whether the child's shunt was actually blocked, and nor was the duration of the symptoms. Drowsiness was a significant, but not definite, indicator of shunt blockage, while pyrexia made it more likely that the patient had an alternative diagnosis. In 35 of the admissions a computed tomographic scan was performed: a normal scan, unchanged from previous scans, did not reliably exclude the diagnosis of shunt blockage. Percutaneous manometry via the reservoir of the shunt system was performed during 26 admissions: this investigation produced no false positives nor false negatives, but was equivocal in 5 cases, all of which were found at surgery to have a definite shunt blockage. The accuracy of the diagnosis of shunt blockage made prior to referral to a neurosurgical unit is discussed, together with the implications for resource use.     

蛛网膜下腔出血后正常颅压脑积水(附20例分析)

本文分析了20例有明确蛛网膜下腔出血病史的正常颅压脑积水患者的临床表现,其中有智能、步态障碍、尿失禁三联征典型表现者占11例(55％),有其中二个症状者4例。CT是诊断脑积水的首选检查。本文还结合文献对正常颅压脑积水的发生发展,与之有关的因素及临床表现进行讨论。