Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with GoogleGet your health question answered instantly from our pool of 18000+ doctors from over 80 specialties
Does Hydrocephalus Shunt Cause Back Pain And Vision Impariment?
Hello, My daughter is age 10 and suffers from Spina Bifida and hydorchepalus. She had a shunt revision last September. Her only symptoms were blurred vision, rings in her eyes and double vision and also severe back pain. Nothing showed up on CT or MRI and her neurologist brought her to theatre to see what was happening, he replaced the shunt at that time. For a couple of months now she is complaining of these rings in her eyes again and back pain and im not sure it is her shunt. She has a syrynx on her spine and the doctors told me this is filling up when the shunt is blocking. The problem is Im not sure it is her shunt. Do you think it could be her kidneys? Thank you
Mon, 22 Sep 2014
Hi
Hydrocephalus, even with an indwelling VP shunt, can still cause effects on vision as the fibres processing vision lie in the occipital horn, the part of the brain very close to the fluid filled ventricles. Even after surgery, there may be residual changes and while it does recover sometimes, most times it does not change. Good to take help from a pediatric ophthalmologist for the same.
If the syrinx is filling up , they should check if the shunt is functioning. There are clinical ways of doing this, by checking the chamber emptying and filling. If in doubt, comparing the previous CT to the current one will also help
Hydrocephalus, even with an indwelling VP shunt, can still cause effects on vision as the fibres processing vision lie in the occipital horn, the part of the brain very close to the fluid filled ventricles. Even after surgery, there may be residual changes and while it does recover sometimes, most times it does not change. Good to take help from a pediatric ophthalmologist for the same.
If the syrinx is filling up , they should check if the shunt is functioning. There are clinical ways of doing this, by checking the chamber emptying and filling. If in doubt, comparing the previous CT to the current one will also help
I find this answer helpful
1 Doctor agrees with this answer
Note: For further queries related to your child health, Talk to a Pediatrician. Click here to Book a Consultation.
Disclaimer: These answers are for your information only and not intended to replace your relationship with your treating physician.
This is a short, free answer.
For a more detailed, immediate answer, try our premium service
[Sample answer]
Related questions you may be interested in
Recent questions on Hydrocephalus
Loading Online Doctors....