M. Mataro et al., Cognitive changes after cerebrospinal fluid shunting in young adults with spina bifida and assumed arrested hydrocephalus, J NE NE PSY, 68(5), 2000, pp. 615-621
Objectives-To establish whether surgery can improve the neuropsychological
functioning of young adult patients with spina bifida and apparent clinical
ly arrested hydrocephalus showing abnormal intracranial pressure.
Methods-Twenty three young adults with spina bifida and assumed arrested hy
drocephalus (diagnosed as active or compensated by continuous intracranial
pressure monitoring) underwent surgery. All patients received neuropsycholo
gical examination before surgery and 6 months later. Neuropsychological ass
essment included tests of verbal and visual memory, visuospatial functions,
speed of mental processing, and frontal lobe functions.
Results-Shunt placement in this subgroup of patients improves neuropsycholo
gical functioning, especially in verbal and visual memory and attention and
cognitive flexibility.
Conclusions-Young adults with spina bifida and suspected non-functioning sh
unt or non-shunted ventriculomegaly should be carefully monitored to identi
fy those who could benefit from shunting.