A shunt is a surgically implanted device that diverts cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in a controlled manner from fluid compartments in the brain or near the spine to another part of the body, such as the abdomen or the heart. For nearly half a century, hydrocephalus has been treated by surgical placement of a (CSF) diverting shunt.
Shunts typically consist of three components:
1. An inflow (proximal) catheter, which drains CSF from the ventricles or the lumbar subarachnoid space, to a valve;
2. A valve mechanism, which regulates differential pressure or controls flow through the shunt tubing;
3. An outflow (distal) catheter, which directs CSF from the valve to the peritoneum, heart or other suitable drainage site.
Other shunt components may include reservoirs and/or antechambers for sampling or injecting medications; or dyes, on/off devices, anti-siphon or other flow-compensating devices, auxiliary catheters, etc., to modify performance or adapt the basic system to the patient’s specialized needs. In selected cases (such as when extraventricular fluid collections are drained), a shunt may not contain a valve.
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