Vp Shunt Emergency

Palpate to identify the vp shunt and the reservoir chamber.

Vp shunt emergency. Attorney new york city. Known as the ventriculoperitoneal vp shunt. Shunt failure is common.

3 7 8 13 shunt malfunction can lead to an acute increase in icp which may be a life threatening emergency making early detection and treatment critical to reducing morbidity and mortality. Ventriculoperitoneal vp shunt complications include blockage and infection early and prompt detection of shunt dysfunction is vital as delay can lead to markedly raised intracranial pressure coning and death. Slow refill more than 3 5 seconds indicates proximal obstruction.

Shunts can be programmable meaning the healthcare provider can adjust how much fluid is drained by the shunt. At this distal location the csf will be absorbed by the body. Vp shunt malfunction in the emergency department by stephanie rifkinson mann md jd neurosurgical consultant mount kisco ny.

As most vp shunt problems initially present to the emergency department it is important for emergency physicians to be well versed in managing them. A ventriculoperitoneal vp shunt is a medical device that relieves pressure on the brain caused by fluid accumulation. This test is not perfect.

Most often shunts are placed in the lateral brain ventricle and drain to the abdomen. A young girl with a ventriculoperitoneal shunt presented to the emergency room after several days of headache and now altered mental status. In the article the possible r.

All patients with suspected vp shunt dysfunction should be discussed with neurosurgery. 2 11 12 between 8 10 of shunts eventually become infected. In this paper we review the indications complications and pitfalls associated with ventriculoperitoneal vp shunts.