Hydrocephalus: an overview and update.

Hydrocephalus is a chronic disease process and one of the most prevalent conditions in pediatric neurosurgery. At Oklahoma Children's Memorial Hospital, the neurosurgery department treats approximately 200 cases of hydrocephalus annually. This volume of patients has caused us to revise our diagnostic and operative protocols in order to more effectively meet the needs of our patients. At the current time, a shunting procedure is the most effective way to treat chronic long-term hydrocephalus. However, shunts are not without associated problems and it is these difficulties that have served as encouragement to continue our research into new and more improved methods of treatment.