Is it possible to optimize treatment of patients with idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus by implanting an adjustable Medos Hakim valve in combination with a Miethke shunt assistant?

Abstract

A better course of the disease after implantation of a low-pressure valve in patients with idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus normally comes at the cost of a distinctly higher rate of overdrainage. Can combining an adjustable valve with a gravity unit produce optimization of treatment results? In a prospective observation of the course of the disease, 18 patients with idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus were surgically treated with the aforementioned valve combination during the period January to June 2004 at the Unfallkrankenhaus Berlin and examined after 6 and 12 months. The course of the disease correlates with the opening pressure level of the valve. The controlled setting of the valve from 100 mmH2O to 70 mmH2O, then to 50 mmH2O after 3 months permits the brain to adapt optimally to the implanted valve without complications from overdrainage. In our view, combining an adjustable differential pressure valve with a gravity unit currently represents the optimal treatment variant for patients with idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus. In the future, the gravity valve should also be adjustable. © 2006 Springer-Verlag.