PRESSURE-CONTROLLED DRAINAGE OF CEREBROSPINAL-FLUID - CLINICAL-EXPERIENCE WITH A NEW-TYPE OF VENTRICULAR CATHETER (VENTCONTROL MTC) AND AN INTEGRATED PIEZORESISTIVE SENSOR AT ITS TIP - TECHNICAL NOTE

WE DESCRIBE A new ventricular catheter that is the combination of a '' classic'' ventricular catheter with a piezo-resistive transducer at it s tip. The device allows parallel recordings of intraventricular fluid pressure via a chip and a fluid-filled external transducer, drainage of cerebrospinal fluid from the ventricle or injection of fluid into t he ventricle with simultaneous monitoring of intracranial pressure, an d recording of brain tissue pressure in cases of misplacement or dislo cation of the ventricular catheter or in cases of progressively narrow ing ventricles caused by brain edema. Clinical tests in various situat ions at different pressure ranges (total recording time, 1356 h in 13 patients) gave excellent correlations of both pressures. Application o f the device is especially indicated in clinical situations in which p ressure-controlled drainage is desirable, occlusion of ventricular bol ts is likely, or pressure-volume tests are needed.