Neuronavigational assisted ventriculo-peritoneal shunt surgery in the idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) patients

Object. Lumboperitoneal shunt are commonly used for idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) because of the difficulty of insertion of Ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt into normal or small-sized ventricles. The authors showed their experience with VP shunts for IIH with the help of a Neuronavigation system. Methods. This is a retrospective study of 16 patients of IIH in whom Neuronavigation was used to guide the insertion of a shunt in the ventricle for IIH at our institution. A trial of either acetazolamide or steroid therapy had failed in all patients. Results. Shunt placement was successful and uncomplicated in each case except for one patient in which shunt failure occurred (6.25%) post-operatively.  Outcomes were assessed at 12 months which were favourable regarding symptoms 13 cases (81.25%) got relief in headaches and 4 patients (25%) showed improvement in vision. Misplacement of the shunt occurred in one case postoperatively and Shunt failure occurred in 2 cases (12.50%) during the follow-up period due to ventricular end obstruction. These three patients required shunt revision. Progression of the visual deficit did not occur. Conclusion. Our results suggest that the Neuronavigation-guided ventriculoperitoneal shunt is a good alternative to Lumboperitoneal shunt in IIH patients.