Question

How to treat pediatric hydrocephalus?

Answer

The treatment methods for pediatric hydrocephalus include non-surgical treatments and surgical treatments. For mild hydrocephalus, non-surgical treatments can be tried first, such as dehydration therapy and systemic supportive therapy. If non-surgical treatments fail or the intraventricular pressure increases beyond 250 mm water column, surgical treatment should be considered, such as ventriculoatrial shunting, ventriculo-sagittal sinus shunting, or ventriculo-peritoneal shunting. Among them, ventriculo-peritoneal shunting is used more often because it is safe and has fewer complications. The surgery uses a shunt tube with a reservoir and pressure valve device, which can be checked under X-ray visualization.