Evaluation of the new Statscan radiography device for ventriculoperitoneal shunt assessment.

OBJECTIVE

We assessed the diagnostic accuracy and time effectiveness of the Statscan low-dose full-body digital x-ray machine in the evaluation of ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt dysfunction.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

Twenty-five consecutive adults scheduled for a radiographic shunt series with the Statscan were prospectively selected (group 1). Another 21 consecutive patients who underwent conventional x-ray scanning served as controls (group 2) for blinded analysis.

RESULTS

Image quality was sufficient for diagnosis in both groups (95.6% vs 95.1%). The quality of VP shunt delineation and contrast of anatomic structures was good or optimal in both groups (p > 0.05). The scan time was significantly lower for group 1 (p < 0.001). All images for group 2 exhibited overlapping of anatomic structures (25% of total coverage), whereas no technically determined overlapping occurred in group 1.

CONCLUSION

The Statscan digital x-ray machine allows accurate assessment of VP shunt continuity at lower radiation dosages and in less time than conventional x-ray techniques.