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Shunt Procedures in the Management of Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension

Learn how shunts may help relieve pressure for some people with IIH.

A shunt is a surgical procedure that redirects fluid from one area to another. In respect to the neurological condition, idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH), there is an abnormality in the movement and production of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), causing elevated brain pressures. Though the exact mechanism is unknown, a common procedure performed by a physician (ie: Neurologist, Interventional Radiologist or Neurosurgeon) can place a shunt to help alleviate signs and symptoms caused by IIH. 

A shunt can be placed in the brain or spinal cord to remove CSF and divert it to the abdomen or heart. 

  • When a shunt is placed in the ventricle of the brain and ends in the abdomen (peritoneum), it is called a ventriculoperitoneal shunt (VP shunt).
  • When a shunt is placed in the subarachnoid space of the spinal cord and drains the CSF into the peritoneum it is called a lumboperitoneal shunt (LP shunt).  
  • A most recent article showed an alternate site, the heart, where a shunt can be placed from the spinal cord to the heart called an LC shunt.

Like any surgical procedure or surgery, there are always risks and benefits of a shunt placement.

Some of the benefits of a shunt placement are:

  • Relief of symptoms
  • Improved intracranial pressures

Some of the risks of a shunt placement are:

  • Bleeding of surgical site
  • Infection of shunt
  • Malfunction of shunt

We welcome you to attend our free webinar via Zoom on November 6th at 7pm EST on the discussion of shunts. During this interactive webinar, Dr. Jamie Wright will be discussing her experience as both a patient and a provider on her medical journey as she was born with congenital hydrocephalus and had to have a ventriculoperitoneal shunt placed when she was just 20-months-old. Dr. Wright is a medical doctor and has a PhD, dedicating her life and career to improving current therapies for the management of CSF and promoting advocacy. Throughout Dr. Wright’s life she has endured numerous catheter changes, lumbar punctures, malfunctions, and infections that she would like to share her medical journey with the IIH community.

If you would like to learn more about Dr. Jaime Wright, you can follow her on her Instagram page @shuntedmdphd.

Click here if you would like to receive reminders to our November webinar. 

Picture of Edith Ruiz, PA-C
Edith Ruiz, PA-C
Edith Ruiz, PA-C is a certified physician assistant with over 14 years of clinical experience, including the care of neurological surgery and bariatric surgery patients. Additionally, she has several years of experience as a medical writer for healthcare companies to help connect patients to medical information.
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Shunts: The Good, The Bad and Everything in Between

November 6 at 7 pm ET

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