STEREOTACTIC VENTRICULOPERITONEAL SHUNT FOR IDIOPATHIC INTRACRANIAL HYPERTENSION - TECHNICAL NOTE

OBJECTIVE: Lumboperitoneal shunting is the bastion of neurosurgical ma nagement for idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH). However, rece nt studies document a high failure rate for this procedure. The presen t study was designed to explore the feasibility of placing ventriculop eritoneal shunts under stereotactic control into patients with IIH as an alternative to lumboperitoneal shunting. METHODS: Seven patients wi th IIH for whom medical management had failed underwent stereotactic i mplantation of ventriculoperitoneal shunts. RESULTS: Shunt placement w as successful and uncomplicated in each case. Five of seven patients e xperienced complete resolution of papilledema. The remaining two patie nts showed resolving papilledema. Six of seven patients experienced re solution of headache. The remaining patient continued to have headache s despite a radionuclide study demonstrating normal shunt function. CO NCLUSION: Our results suggest that stereotactic ventriculoperitoneal s hunting may be a reasonable alternative to lumboperitoneal shunting in those patients with IIH who require surgical intervention.