TELEMETRIC INTRACRANIAL PRESSURE MONITORING IN PATIENTS WITH SUSPECTED INTRACRANIAL HYPERTENSION

Abstract

Introduction: We present the application of the Raumedic® P-tel telemetric device that monitors Intra-cranial Pressure (ICP) over long periods, in twenty two (22) patients, with suspected intracranial hypertension.
Methods: A telemetric device (Raumedic®, Neurovent® P-tel) was surgically implanted in 22 patients aged between 21-65 years. Ten (10) patients had inconclusive diagnosis of benign intracranial hypertension, three (3) patients had possible diagnosis of postoperative hydrocephalus, two (2) patients had possible diagnosis of aqueduct stenosis, one (1) patient was investigated for shunt malfunction, and six (6) patients for Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus (NPH). All patients underwent a 3-day ICP recording within the nursing unit. Three more recordings were obtained over a period of 2-6 months at outpatient base.
Results: Analysis of the data excluded the diagnosis of intracranial hypertension in twelve (12) patients. Contrary in ten (10) patients, data confirmed elevated ICP values and subsequently seven (7) of them underwent shunts’ implantation, while two (2) patients refused further neurosurgical treatment and one(1) patient received medical treatment with acetazolamide. Additionally, one (1) patient measured with normal ICP values and confirmed with NPH, underwent VP shunt implantation, while another one (1) with similar characteristics refused further surgery. In our series the overall clinical complication rate after P-tel implantation was insignificant.
Conclusions: The telemetric device is safely implanted via a rather simple procedure. In selected patients it could provide long term ICP recordings, which are necessary to confirm diagnose and guide to the appropriate treatment.