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Updated: Feb 24, 2026
Neuronavigation and Laparoscopy Guided Ventriculoperitoneal Shunt Insertion for the Treatment of Hydrocephalus
Published on: October 14, 2022
Resolution of bilateral sensorineural hearing loss following ventriculoperitoneal shunt and literature review
A Jamshidi1, C Glidewell2, J Murnick3
1The George Washington University, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, 2300 I St NW, Washington, D.C, 20037, United States.
Insights
Obstructive hydrocephalus can cause sensorineural hearing loss in infants. Prompt treatment with a VP shunt can restore hearing, highlighting the importance of intracranial pressure monitoring.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Neurology
- Otolaryngology
- Neurosurgery
Background:
- Obstructive hydrocephalus, a condition of increased intracranial pressure, can affect infants.
- Sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) is a potential complication, though rare.
Observation:
- A 10-month-old infant with craniosynostosis presented with SNHL.
- Imaging revealed obstructive hydrocephalus, leading to surgical intervention with a ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt.
Findings:
- Post-VP shunt insertion, the infant demonstrated immediate and complete resolution of SNHL.
- This suggests a direct link between elevated intracranial pressure and auditory function.
Implications:
- Elevated intracranial pressure due to hydrocephalus should be considered in the differential diagnosis of SNHL in infants.
- Understanding the relationship between cerebrospinal fluid dynamics and cochlear function is crucial for diagnosis and treatment.
Objective:
The purpose of this study is to highlight the relationship between obstructive hydrocephalus, changes in intracranial pressure, and sensorineural hearing loss.
Methods:
A case of a 10-month old infant with sensorineural hearing loss secondary to obstructive hydrocephalus is reported. A literature review, with a focus on sensorineural hearing loss in the setting of changes in intracranial pressure, was performed.
Results:
The authors report the case of a 10-month old infant with metopic and bicoronal craniosynostosis who presented with bilateral moderately severe sensorineural hearing loss after failing newborn hearing screening. Imaging subsequently demonstrated obstructive hydrocephalus, which was treated with the insertion of a VP shunt. The patient had immediate improvement of her hearing post-operatively, with repeat hearing tests showed resolution of her hearing loss.
Conclusion:
Sensorineural hearing loss is a rare complication of hydrocephalus, but changes in intracranial pressure should be considered in the differential diagnosis. We put forth a flow diagram illustrating the hypothesized relationship between intracranial pressures, alterations in the levels of cochlear fluid, and hearing.
