Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 10, 2026
14:59
Neuronavigation and Laparoscopy Guided Ventriculoperitoneal Shunt Insertion for the Treatment of Hydrocephalus
Published on: October 14, 2022
10.7K
Serious adverse events following Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus surgery
Vikas Kotagal1, Elizabeth Walkowiak2, Jason A Heth2
1Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, United States; Veterans Affairs Ann Arbor Health System (VAAAHS), Ann Arbor, MI, United States.
Clinical Neurology and Neurosurgery
|May 18, 2018
Summary
Serious adverse events (SAEs) after Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus (NPH) surgery are more common than previously thought. This study found a high rate of SAEs, including infections and hematomas, suggesting a need for further research into long-term safety.
Area of Science:
- Neurosurgery
- Neurology
- Geriatrics
Background:
- Recent guidelines cite an 11% serious adverse event (SAE) rate following Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus (NPH) surgery.
- NPH management often involves neurosurgical ventricular shunt placement.
- Understanding the risks associated with NPH surgery is crucial for patient care.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the incidence and types of SAEs in patients undergoing NPH surgery.
- To compare observed SAE rates with existing literature.
- To assess the safety profile of NPH surgical treatment.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of 162 patients evaluated for NPH over 47 months.
- Analysis of clinical records for SAEs in 22 patients who underwent neurosurgical ventricular shunt surgery.
- SAEs categorized by relationship to surgery (possibly/probably/definitely) and timing.
Main Results:
- 10 out of 22 (45.5%) patients experienced 11 SAEs.
- SAEs included central nervous system infections, subdural hematomas, seizures, catheter malfunction, perioperative events, and one death.
- Eight SAEs were classified as probably or definitely related to surgery, with six occurring more than 3 months post-operatively.
Conclusions:
- Serious adverse events following NPH surgery are frequent.
- The observed SAE rate in this cohort significantly exceeds previous estimates.
- Further investigation into the long-term safety of NPH surgery, particularly in older adults, is warranted.
Related Concept Videos
02:34Vapor Pressure
41.0K
When a liquid vaporizes in a closed container, gas molecules cannot escape. As these gas phase molecules move randomly about, they will occasionally collide with the surface of the condensed phase, and in some cases, these collisions will result in the molecules re-entering the condensed phase. The change from the gas phase to the liquid is called condensation. When the rate of condensation becomes equal to the rate of vaporization, neither the amount of the liquid nor the amount of the vapor...
41.0K
01:12Local Anesthetics: Adverse Effects
815
While local anesthetics are generally safe and well-tolerated, they can occasionally cause adverse effects that vary in severity. Local anesthetics can induce toxicity at two distinct levels. They can either produce local effects through direct contact with the neural elements or be absorbed into the bloodstream from the injection site, leading to systemic effects.
Once absorbed into the systemic circulation, local anesthetics can affect the organs that depend on the functioning of sodium...
Once absorbed into the systemic circulation, local anesthetics can affect the organs that depend on the functioning of sodium...
815
01:11Normal Distribution
17.3K
The normal, a continuous distribution, is the most important of all the distributions. Its graph is a bell-shaped symmetrical curve, which is observed in almost all disciplines. Some of these include psychology, business, economics, the sciences, nursing, and, of course, mathematics. Some instructors may use the normal distribution to help determine students’ grades. Most IQ scores are normally distributed. Often real-estate prices fit a normal distribution. The normal distribution is...
17.3K
01:19Normal Stress
1.5K
Normal stress is a type of stress that occurs when forces act perpendicular, or normal, to a material's cross-sectional area. This stress often arises in structures when subjected to axial loading, which is the application of force along the axis of an object. A practical example of this can be found in bridge truss members.
When a rod is under axial loading, the internal forces and corresponding stress are normal to the plane of the section, so it is termed normal stress. It's important to...
When a rod is under axial loading, the internal forces and corresponding stress are normal to the plane of the section, so it is termed normal stress. It's important to...
1.5K
01:28Integration of Synaptic Events
4.2K
Synaptic integration mainly includes the summation of graded potentials. Graded potentials, regardless of their type, cause subtle alterations in membrane voltage, resulting in either depolarization or hyperpolarization. These incremental changes, when combined or summed, can propel the neuron toward its threshold. Consider, for example, a membrane experiencing a +15 mV shift, causing it to depolarize from -70 mV to -55 mV. In this scenario, graded potentials govern the membrane's ability to...
4.2K
01:16Insulin: Dosing Regimen and Adverse Effects
832
Insulin-replacement therapy usually includes both long-acting insulin (basal) and short-acting insulin (to cater to postprandial needs). In a diverse group of type 1 diabetes patients, the average daily insulin dose is typically 0.5-0.7 units/kg body weight. However, obese patients and pubertal adolescents may need more due to insulin resistance.
The basal dose constitutes about 40%-50% of the total daily dose, with the rest as premeal insulin. The mealtime insulin dose should mirror...
The basal dose constitutes about 40%-50% of the total daily dose, with the rest as premeal insulin. The mealtime insulin dose should mirror...
832