Author(s)

Matthias Krause¹, Christos P. Panteliadis², Christian Hagel³, Franz W. Hirsch⁴, Ulrich H. Thome⁵, Jürgen Meixensberger¹, Ulf Nestler^1*

¹Department of Neurosurgery, University Hospital Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany.
²Department of Neuropediatrics and Developmental Neurology, University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece.
³Institute of Neuropathology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany.
⁴Department of Pediatric Radiology, University Hospital Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany.
⁵Department of Neonatology, University Hospital Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany.

Neonatal hydrocephalus can arise from a multitude of disturbances, among them congenital aqueductal stenosis, myelomeningocele or posthemorrhagic complications in preterm infants. Diagnostic work-up comprises transfontanellar ultrasonography, T2 weighted MRI and clinical assessment for rare inherited syndromes. Classification of hydrocephalus and treatment guidelines is based on detailed consensus statements. The recent evidence favors catheter-based cerebrospinal fluid diversion in children below 6 months, but emerging techniques such as neuroendoscopic lavage carry the potential to lower shunt insertion rates. More long-term study results will be needed to allow for individualized, multidisciplinary decision making. This article gives an overview regarding contemporary pathophysiological concepts, the latest consensus statements and most recent technical developments.

Cerebrospinal Fluid, Hydrocephalus, Neonate, Neuroendoscopy, VP-Shunt

Krause, M. , Panteliadis, C. , Hagel, C. , Hirsch, F. , Thome, U. , Meixensberger, J. and Nestler, U. (2018) Surgical Treatment for Neonatal Hydrocephalus: Catheter-Based Cerebrospinal Fluid Diversion or Endoscopic Intervention?. Open Journal of Modern Neurosurgery, 8, 30-45. doi: 10.4236/ojmn.2018.81002.