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[Problems encountered with a programmable pressure valve (SOPHY) positioned in the chest wall]
T Fuse1, T Takagi, T Fukushima
1Department of Neurosurgery, Nagoya City Higashi General Hospital.
No Shinkei Geka. Neurological Surgery
|January 1, 1996
Summary
SOPHY programmable valves effectively treat hydrocephalus. Chest placement reduces MR artifacts but causes complications; lower chest or occipital scalp placement is recommended, especially for infants.
Area of Science:
- Neurosurgery
- Medical Devices
- Radiology
Background:
- Hydrocephalus management often requires cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) shunt systems.
- The SOPHY programmable valve is effective for CSF circulation disorders.
- Valve placement impacts diagnostic imaging and patient outcomes.
Observation:
- Scalp placement of the SOPHY valve causes MR imaging artifacts and potential scalp necrosis.
- Chest placement reduces MR artifacts and simplifies valve replacement.
- Subcutaneous chest placement led to complications like valve inversion and shunt tube kinking/stretching.
Findings:
- Complications observed with chest placement are specific to this location.
- Valve inversion and shunt tube issues occurred in subcutaneous chest pockets.
- Shunt tube stretching can result from infant neck growth or neck extension during exercise.
Implications:
- For chest placement, a lower position may mitigate complications.
- If MR imaging is not anticipated, occipital scalp placement is a viable alternative, particularly for pediatric patients.
- Optimizing SOPHY valve placement balances efficacy, imaging compatibility, and complication avoidance.