Treatment Strategies and Challenges to Avoid Cerebrospinal Fluid Shunting for Pediatric Hydrocephalus

Abstract

Treatment for pediatric hydrocephalus aims not only to shrink the enlarged ventricle morphologically but also to create an intracranial environment that provides the best neurocognitive development and to deal with various treatment-related problems over a long period of time. Although the primary diseases that cause hydrocephalus are diverse, the ventricular peritoneal shunt has been introduced as the standard treatment for several decades. Nevertheless, complications such as shunt infection and shunt malfunction are unavoidable; the prognosis of neurological function is severely affected by such factors, especially in newborns and infants. In recent years, treatment concepts have been attempted to avoid shunting, mainly in the context of pediatric cases. In this review, the current role of neuroendoscopic third ventriculostomy for noncommunicating hydrocephalus is discussed and a new therapeutic concept for post intraventricular hemorrhagic hydrocephalus in preterm infants is documented. To avoid shunt placement and achieve good neurodevelopmental outcomes for pediatric hydrocephalus, treatment modalities must be developed.