What are the symptoms of shunt malfunction in hydrocephalus?

[Holly]

Hydrocephalus is a build-up of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) within the head because of a blockage to the flow or drainage. Approximately 80% of people with Spina Bifida have hydrocephalus that requires a shunt or other treatment. The symptoms of shunt malfunction are varied and can be confusing for both families and health care providers. The most common symptoms are headaches, nausea, and vomiting. Less common symptoms of shunt malfunction can include seizures, a significant change in intellect, school performance, or personality. The symptoms of shunt malfunction can be difficult to spot. You should visit a doctor if you notice any major change without an obvious cause to find out if it is caused by a shunt malfunction. All patients with hydrocephalus should be evaluated by a neurosurgeon at least every 1-2 years.

For more information on this question and other related topics, SBA offers a series of fact sheets (http://www.sbaa.org/site/lookup.asp?c=liKWL7PLLrF&b=2642343) and publications. Additional questions or requests for information should be sent to the SBA National Resource Center (http://www.sbaa.org/site/lookup.asp?c=liKWL7PLLrF&b=2644753).

[lolathechecker]

how often do they usually malfunction? ive heard they clog alot, but its only a 30 minute surgery to fix and you can go home the next day. is that right?

[Barb]

That is right. It is different in everyone. C had his first one at 4 months. At two, he had a shunt revision and he is 9 now and has not had to have this one removed since. It is not so much that they clog but they fail to function. The new programmable ones have made a big difference in the amount of revisions. We are happy to have one,

[kali]

just curious when a shunt clogs what do they do? replace the shunt or just clean it out? I am just curious becasue a friend of mine sons (6 years old)has been really sick with headaches and mood changes, and can barely use his hands. they were told it was a clog in the shunt. they operated to clear the clog. (they went in through the stomache) after the operation there has been no improvement, he still has the same symptons. He has been like this for more then a month.
my heart breaks when I think of him

[Barb]

Sounds like he needs an actual revision, where they replace the shunt. I have never talked to anyone who had it 'unclogged', only replaced. When C has pressure problems, he can't open his hands either. Do they have access to a programmable shunt there?

[kali]

that was my thought, when I heard he had his shunt unclogged, I never heard or read about that procedure before. in the end it was an unsuccessful operation. I was also thought from the begining he needed it to be replaced. as for programmable shunts I havent heard about them here . my son just has a regular shunt that is suppose to grow with you (tubing) and we have been very blessed not to have any problems since birth.

[trekman]

I must be really lucky because I haven't had a shunt problem since I was 13 and I'm 40 now!

[rachiebaby]

there are times when i think something is wrong like sometimes i can feel pressure on it and i think my intellect has changed and i do get headaches but that's nothing new but when i went to go get it checked last which was maybe a few months ago everything looked fine

[brodie]

hi. just wondered if anyone knows anything about arnold chiari malformation. im 31 never had any problems with my spina bifida but recently diagnosed with arnold chiari malformation. im a bit scared to say the least

[Barb]

My son has a chiari 2 malformation. He had it decompressed around 3 year old to allow him to stip throwing up so much. It really minimally affects him now

[cutie patooties mom]

Gabi has Chiarri 2. We were told when she was born. At 3 1/2 months she had to have a tracheotomy because of complications from it. Her vocal chords were paralyzed along with a really small airway and a floppy epiglotis. She had her trach until 18 months when she had a tracheal reconstruction. Her AC 2 has been non-symptomatic since!!

I think Arnold-Chiarri 2 causes mostly breathing and swallowing problems.

Oh-- She has had 4 shunt revisions, all within a 2 week period, at the age of 7 1/2 months old.

[Summer25]

hi. just wondered if anyone knows anything about arnold chiari malformation. im 31 never had any problems with my spina bifida but recently diagnosed with arnold chiari malformation. im a bit scared to say the least

I also have ACM 2. I started having symptoms at 16 with neck pain. I also started getting hand cramps and some headaches. My ped neurosurgeon said it could be many things. Either the ACM, Shunt Malfunction, 2 buldging discs they found in my neck, or tethercord. He started me in PT and Massage Therapy and within months the symptoms were gone. I started doing it 3 times a week. I am now down to once every other week. Before I was released from the ped doctor he did a neck MRI and said that one disc was almost back into place while the other one looked better. So, we will never know what the cause of it, but with my surgery issues I refuse to have anything done that isn't necessary. Oh also at that time I had a sleep test and it was found that I could possibly have sleep apnea, but I never got into the REM sleep. I was allowed to take a pulse ox home and did that part at home and they found nothing wrong. Other then the occasional headache which has been a little more due to a new medication I haven't had any problems unless I miss a few weeks of massage in a row.

[cheryl]

my daughter has Arnold Chairi II malformation, I believe thats a little worse than Type I. She had a huge surgery in Feb of 06 she was fused (her neck) due to the spine and brain sharing the same space in the neck area, the spine needed to be lined and fused. Not that that is what will happen to you, But up until then she had no issues with it. Hope this helps you out a bit

[sleepyme]

Holly, that is such an informative post.
It could be an abet for everyone like me
who needs more information about the
symptoms of brain shunts malfunction.