Pediatrics Editorial: Obstruction of CSF Shunts
1 Departments of Pediatrics and Neurology, The Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine, Baltimore
The development of improved shunting devices has allowed most children with hydrocephalus to survive, lead normal lives, and be of normal intelligence.1-3 Many different devices incorporating different ventricular ends, different types of one-way valves, and different distal ends all have one common purposeto divert cerebrospinal (CSF) fluid from within the head into the blood stream or the peritoneal cavity where absorption can take place.
Despite these advances, complications of shunting procedures remain4 (see also Neuren and Ellison in this issue, (p 90). The prompt recognition and management of these complications should eliminate the mortality and markedly decrease the morbidity associated with shunts.




