Finally, open loop control of intracranial pressure in hydrocephalus

In the recent paper by Farahmand et al1 a new fully implantable telemetered intracranial pressure monitoring device (Raumedic AG, Helmbrecht, Germany) is used to study changes in intracranial pressure that occur in various positions and with various valve settings. The patient population studied here included 15 adult patients with ‘communicating hydrocephalus’ who underwent ventriculoperitoneal shunting using a Strata valve (Medtronic Inc, Goleta, California, USA). With the development of adjustable valves for the treatment of hydrocephalus and effective devices to prevent severely negative intracranial pressure from siphoning, it has become possible to make intracranial pressure (ICP) and ICP dynamics normal for nearly all patients despite the fact that they cannot absorb the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) naturally. The problem of defining exactly what is meant by "normal intracranial pressure dynamics" is controversial. To this point it could only be studied in an intensive care unit setting. Beginning in the...
Source: Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery and Psychiatry - Category: Neurosurgery Authors: Tags: Headache (including migraine), Hydrocephalus, Pain (neurology) Editorial commentaries Source Type: research