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When a patient presents with symptoms or signs suggestive of ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt malfunction, head CT scanning and a shunt series are ordered routinely. Investigators from 2 academic teaching institutions evaluated the usefulness of the shunt series in the work-up of such patients.
Twenty-one patients with VP shunts, who underwent a total of 67 concurrent head CT scans and shunt series, were retrospectively evaluated. In no case did the shunt series contribute to the ultimate treatment of the patient. Of the 22 episodes of shunt revision, the decision to revise the shunt was based either on CT scan results demonstrating hydrocephalus or on clinical suspicion of shunt malfunction. The authors suggest that shunt series be ordered o…