Abstract
Serial lumbar puncture (LP) as a method of treating hydrocephalus was evaluated in ten infants of birthweights ≤ 1500 grams, who had a cerebral intraventricular hemorrhage(CVH) and ventricular dilatation identified by computed tomography (CT).Each of the infants had an initial CT scan within the first ten days of life. Follow-up CT scans were done at weekly intervals. If progressive ventricular dilatation was observed, daily LP was attempted. Ventricular size remained stable or decreased throughout the tapping period and remained so after the cessation of tapping in eight of the ten infants. Follow-up CT scans at six months of age on eight of the ten infants showed no increase in ventricular size and an increase in the thickness of the cerebral mantle. The two infants from whom cerebrospinal fluid could not be obtained had progressive ventricular dilatation and required the placement of a ventriculo-peritoneal shunt.
This approach to early intervention of progressive ventricular dilatation secondary to CVH by means of serial LP may arrest the development of hydrocephalus and eliminate the need for a shunt.
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Papile, L., Koffler, H., Burstein, R. et al. 1144 NON-SURGICAL TREATMENT OF ACQUIRED HYDROCEPHALUS: EVALUATION OF SERIAL LUMBAR PUNCTURE. Pediatr Res 12 (Suppl 4), 554 (1978). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-197804001-01150
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-197804001-01150
