What is Hydrocephalus?

Hydrocephalus is a condition that occurs when cerebrospinal fluid, or “CSF”, builds up in the cavities—ventricles—in the brain, causing it to swell. It is a complex disorder most common in young children and adults over 60 years old. The name itself means “water on the brain”. Brain damage can occur as a result of CSF buildup, possibly leading to developmental, physical, and intellectual impairments. Hydrocephalus requires treatment to prevent serious complications.

Hydrocephalus Treatment

Hydrocephalus has several treatment options, but the most common is to surgically implant a shunt. A shunt is a drainage system made up of a long tube with a valve. The shunt ventricular catheter is inserted in the brain’s ventricles to drain and redirect the excess fluid into another part of the patient’s body. The valve helps CSF flow at a normal rate in the right direction. Excess fluid drains from the brain and out the other end of the tube, where it can be more easily absorbed. All components of the shunt system are implanted (placed) under the skin and must be monitored regularly.

$35816

is the average cost of a shunt-related hospital admission according to a 2005 study.¹

Up to 40%

of all shunts fail within the first year of placement.²

Up to 80%

of patients require revision within 12 years of placement or revision.³

$2,000,000,000

per year hospital charges for hydrocephalus in the US.⁴

Shunt Complications

40% – 50% of shunts in the pediatric population fail within the first year of placement.¹ Often, shunt failure requires neurosurgical operation to replace or “revise” the shunts.
The most common shunt complications are malfunction and infection.
Shunt malfunction, also known as shunt failure, occurs when the shunt is partially or completely blocked, causing it to function intermittently or not at all. If the blockage is not corrected, CSF accumulates and results in the return of hydrocephalus symptoms
A shunt infection is typically caused by a patient’s own bacterial organisms rather than other children or adults who may be sick. The most common type of infection, staphylococcus epidermidis, is normally found on the surface of a person’s skin as well as in the sweat glands and hair follicles deep within the skin. This kind of infection is observed one to three months after surgery but can occur up to six months after shunt placement.²
Some hydrocephalus patients have had more brain surgeries than birthdays.