The brain is a very unique organ. It grows as new neutrons are added (new connections). It can also atrophy, or shrink; due to disease, such as depression. Yet, that is another topic that we will discuss at a later date. What I want to talk about is a condition called "Slit Ventricle Syndrome" or "SVS".
Slit Ventricle Syndrome can be caused; as a result; of over-draining CSF fluid from the brain. Remember back in our first discussions of pressure settings, in that the "normal" brain produces around 500 ml of CSF a day. Yet, I also stated that those of us with hydrocephalus produce *more* than 500 ml of CSF a day, due to a structural issue. Some may call it a defect. I'm not fond of the word "defect", so I use alternative words to express my views. I don't view myself as having "a defect". I, along with others with the condition of hydrocephalus; do have a health issue that impacts our daily life. The *trick* for the neurosurgeon is to "calculate" what setting will work best for the patient while controlling the CSF impacting the brain.
You have to remember that the brain is a living organ and changes as needs change. A shunt with a programmable valve drains off a set amount of fluid. This can be very helpful to "regulate" a patient. Yet, sometimes that very setting can cause intense headaches, above the eye and traveling along the shunt tubing to the valve. That is the case, for me. Those types of headaches are quite debilitating. On the flip side, a shunt with a non-programmable (fixed range) may be better for some patients.
Have you ever been in an airplane? Do you remember how; when you take off; your ears "pop"? That's due to a "pressure change". Same thing happens when you land. There is a pressure change. A "normal" brain deals with this no problem. Sometimes those of us with hydrocephalus have problems. It is the rapid change that some of us can not handle. That can mimic a shunt headache.
Some neurosurgeons like to refer patients to neurologists to "control" the pain. Yet, what may be needed, instead, is a different valve. Yes, that is *my* opinion and even though I am "the patient", I know enough about *my* hydrocephalus and what works for me. I also know that a neurologist wouldn't help, because all they would do is prescribe "pain meds". I don't want to be on pain meds if I don't have to be.
When I was younger I had two valves that lasted 16 and 12 yrs respectfully. With those valves, I never had to deal with a headache. *NEVER*. The very first headache I had was when I was 16!!! Unfortunately, that also lead to my first revision of my shunt. The first two valves I had where called Spitz-Holter. They worked like a charm!!! For more information go to: http://www.medterms.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=26245
Now, I get headaches whenever the barometric pressure changes, due to the fact that I have a programmable valve. It lessens the amount of operations I may need, yet, the down side is that it is fixed with a set amount of fluid draining off the brain. I don't like going under the knife, so getting a "programmable" valve seemed like a great idea. A minor inconvenience, but that is something those of us with hydrocephalus have had to deal with. We'd make awesome weather forecasters.
I leave you with this music tribute (ok,so I think it's related to hydrocephalus) :
Under pressure David Bowie and Queen
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