Treatment of communicating hydrocephalus by a lumbo-omental shunt: case report

Based on preliminary experiences from the early 1970s, a patient with chronic and severe communicating hydrocephalus has been successfully treated with transposition of an omental pedicle to the lumbar subarachnoidal space. This patient, who suffered from congenital toxoplasmosis, at the age of 29 years had undergone no fewer than 82 shunt revisions. In the 5-year follow-up after treatment, she has had no further surgery or other treatment. She is in excellent condition and has demonstrated definite signs of improved CSF circulation. This case report confirms that a pedicle of the omentum may serve as an effective CSF absorber in patients presenting with persistent failures with conventional treatments of communicating hydrocephalus, avoiding the use of any implanted foreign material.