INTRACRANIAL-PRESSURE AND CEREBRAL ARTERIAL FLOW VELOCITY INDEXES IN CHILDHOOD HYDROCEPHALUS - CURRENT REVIEW

Because of its noninvasive and repeatable nature, Doppler ultrasound h as been increasingly used to assess changes in cerebral haemodynamics in infants and children with hydrocephalus. There is general agreement that a direct correlation exists between the intracranial pressure (f rom experimental, fontanometric and direct measurement evidence) and t he resistance index. In addition, this increasing index has been predo minantly due to a reduction in the end-diastolic velocity. Stable vent riculomegaly is associated with normal pulsatility. The cerebral blood flow velocity parameters change significantly following CSF drainage by tapping or shunting. The measurement of intracranial pressure and c erebral blood flow velocity are currently the best ways of assessing t he need for CSF diversion and monitoring subsequent shunt function.