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Epileptic seizure as a sign of cerebrospinal fluid shunt malfunction

D L Johnson1, J Conry, R O'Donnell

  • 1Children's Hospital, Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, Penn State University, Hershey, Pa., USA.

Pediatric Neurosurgery
|January 1, 1996
PubMed

Insights

Epilepsy affects 38% of children with shunted hydrocephalus, with seizures rarely indicating shunt malfunction. Seizures typically occur 1.6 years post-shunt, but don't necessitate immediate shunt revision.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Neurosurgery
  • Neurology
  • Pediatric Epilepsy

Background:

  • Hydrocephalus is a common condition in children, often requiring surgical intervention with shunts.
  • Epilepsy is a known complication in children with hydrocephalus and shunted conditions.
  • Understanding the relationship between shunts and seizures is crucial for patient management.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the incidence of epilepsy in children with shunted hydrocephalus.
  • To investigate the timing and characteristics of seizures in this patient population.
  • To assess the association between seizures and shunt malfunction.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective analysis of 817 children with shunted hydrocephalus.
  • Evaluation of seizure incidence, timing, and location.
  • Analysis of emergency room visits and shunt revisions related to seizures.

Main Results:

  • Epilepsy was diagnosed in 38% of children with shunted hydrocephalus.
  • The first seizure occurred post-shunting in 22% of patients, a median of 1.6 years after the shunt procedure.
  • Seizures were infrequently associated with shunt malfunction, with only 0.9% of revisions linked to seizures.

Conclusions:

  • Seizures are a common comorbidity in children with shunted hydrocephalus.
  • While seizures occur, they are seldom a direct indicator of shunt malfunction.
  • Further investigation into the etiology and management of seizures in this population is warranted.

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