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. 2016 Feb 19;9:87–99. doi: 10.2147/JPR.S60633

Table 2.

Outcomes and complications of CSF diversion in IIH

Studies Type of diversion Number of cases Follow-up (months) Clinical outcomes
Revision rate and complication
Headache Visual acuity Visual field Papilledema
Fonseca et al90 VPS (37%)
VAS (63%)
19 34 NR 47% improved, 32% stable, 21% worsened Improvement of mean deviation from −15.80 to −9.23 dB 87% complete resolution
13% stable at grade 1
Revision rate =42%
Complications: shunt infection (5%)
Huang et al119 VPS 17 21 Overall outcomes were 53% improved, 29% s table, 6% worsened, and 12% indeterminate Statistical improvement of VA on both eyes, but no significant improvement of VF Nonfunctioning VPS 20%, 35%, and 53% at 1, 2, and 3 years, respectively
Yadav et al88 LPS 24 51 92% improved 56% improved, 27% stable, and 17% worsened in VA No data on VF or papilledema outcomes Revision rate =8%
Complications: overdrainage (63%)
Sinclair et al89 LPS (92%)
VPS (8%)
53 24 32%, 23%, and 21% remission at 6, 12, and 24 months, respectively Significant improvement at 6 and 12 months (not at 24 months) No significant improvement Resolution 35%, 52%, and 56% at 6, 12, and 24 months, respectively Revision rate =51% within 7.5 months in average and 85% within 1 year
Complications: obstruction (44%), disconnection (19%), and migration (7%)
Tarnaris et al84 LPS (83%)
VPS (17%)
29 29 71% improved in LPS
60% improved in VPS
42% improved in LPS
40% improved in VPS
NR NR Revision rate =40% in LPS and 22% in VPS within 14.3 months in average
Complications: 24% in LPS and 11% in VPS (shunt infection, obstruction, overdrainage, and migration)
No significant difference between groups
Abubaker et al86 LPS (72%)
VPS (28%)
25 48 83% improved in LPS
90% improved in VPS
91% improved in LPS
100% improved in VPS
100% improved in LPS
100% improved in VPS
88% improved in LPS
86% improved in VPS
Revision rate =60% in LPS and 30% in VPS within 7 months in average
Complications: migration, obstruction, shunt infection, and overdrainage in LPS. Chronic subdural hematoma in VPS
Ushewokunze et al120 LSS 23 24 57% had only transient improvement which subsequently required VPS/LPS
44% had sustained and permanent improvement, required no further intervention
Complications: overdrainage (65%), back pain and sciatica (39%), CSF leak (13%)
McGirt et al85 LPS (69%)VPS/VAS (31%) 42 49 95% improved immediately with recurrent headache in 19% by 12 months and 48% by 36 months
Risk factors for recurrence of headache were papilledema (RR: 5.2) and long-term symptoms (RR: 2.5)
Risk of revision increased 2.5-fold in LPS compared with VPS/VAS
Shunt obstruction was 2.5-fold higher in LPS.
Similar risks of overdrainage, migration, and infection between LPS and VPS/VAS

Abbreviations: CSF, cerebrospinal fluid; IIH, idiopathic intracranial hypertension; VPS, ventriculoperitoneal shunt; VAS, ventriculoatrail shunt; NR, not reported; VA, visual acuity; VF, visual field; LPS, lumboperitoneal shunt; LSS, lumbar subcutaneous shunt; RR, relative risk.