CT scan unchanged

[smitty]

Hi,
I have posted before about my mom. She is having symptoms of shunt malfunction,yet the Ct scan shows no changes. Her short term memory has been getting worse, she is having urine incontinence(shes never had this), and really doesn't seem herself. Shes very tired. I know that the NS once said that the ventricles become stiff and you don't always see changes. We are going to see him on the 30th. What should I ask him to do? I really hate to see her go through another surgery since she just had hip surgery in Dec., but I don't want to see her get any worse either. Any help is appreciated.

[Jazz]

Our daughter has non-compliant vents/SVS as well so we have the same problem, scans don't really tell the NS much, if anything. As far as I know, ICP monitoring would be the only way to know for sure if her pressure is up. ???

[KathiDG]

That (ICP Monitoring) and maybe a shunt tap or nuclear medicine shunt study where they inject dye into the reservoir. My CT scans don't necessarily show shunt problems either all the time. At least they didn't before I had my revision done in August...apparenly there has been some change in vent size for me since having my new shunt, so that's good.

But yeah, I would say the doctor needs to do ICP monitor, tap the shunt, or do the nuclear medicine study.

Kathi

[smitty]

Thank you for all of the info. My mom has never had these kinds of symptoms when her shunts weren't working properly. I was questioning how well it was working prior to her surgery in Dec. and I don't know if having anesthesia could have made it even worse or not, but before she was happy and forgetful and now she rarely laughs and is quiet. It's just heartbreaking, so as much as I hate to say it I kind of hope its her shunt and she can get it fixed and return back to her old self.

[CathyE]

Do any of you think sometimes that there isn't a test available to detect some of our problems ?

I myself had my setting lowered Dec. 1st as I was getting some or my pre-shunt symptoms back, but not detectable by others, well except my memory problems (not severe).

My NS seems to be the type who wants a test to prove surgery is required. I am phoning Monday to ask for a Catscan & a follow-up consult.

I hope to be able to convince him I need a setting in between the top 2 Strata ones that I have. Do you think a flow study woud be worthwhile? I am afraid with our system that the timing of the test would be bad (just like what happened when he inserted the ICP monitor after I had been up about 12 hours (most of it semi reclined in a hospital bed on my request). So non of the readings were very low since the starting point was low :eek:

What a waste of time :( And I think being in a hospital bed, my ICP didn't get all that high as I was more raised than I would have been at home. Plus I was only walking for 1 hour at the most until the last day, did 3 hours & my blood pressure started acting up. I just KNOW it was related to my ICP, but my NS referred me to an Internist who found nothing of course.

Sorry to jump in on your thread but it is related.

I am having much worse headaches (not terrible usually) & they aren't settling down as well when I ie down like they used to. I am taking Tramacet most the day now - in quarters of halves as I am very medication sensitive. WHole ones made me halucinate (awake lying down with eyes closed), which I can't stand!

Cathy

PS I hope you get the proper help for your Mom !