TITLE:
Surgical Treatment for Neonatal Hydrocephalus: Catheter-Based Cerebrospinal Fluid Diversion or Endoscopic Intervention?
AUTHORS:
Matthias Krause, Christos P. Panteliadis, Christian Hagel, Franz W. Hirsch, Ulrich H. Thome, Jürgen Meixensberger, Ulf Nestler
KEYWORDS:
Cerebrospinal Fluid, Hydrocephalus, Neonate, Neuroendoscopy, VP-Shunt
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Modern Neurosurgery,
Vol.8 No.1,
December
12,
2017
ABSTRACT: Neonatal hydrocephalus can arise from a multitude of
disturbances, among them congenital aqueductal stenosis, myelomeningocele or
posthemorrhagic complications in preterm infants. Diagnostic work-up comprises
transfontanellar ultrasonography, T2 weighted MRI and clinical assessment for
rare inherited syndromes. Classification of hydrocephalus and treatment
guidelines is based on detailed consensus statements. The recent evidence
favors catheter-based cerebrospinal fluid diversion in children below 6 months,
but emerging techniques such as neuroendoscopic lavage carry the potential to
lower shunt insertion rates. More long-term study results will be needed to
allow for individualized, multidisciplinary decision making. This article gives
an overview regarding contemporary pathophysiological concepts, the latest
consensus statements and most recent technical developments.