001 Other ways of performing this study include use of deliberate reflux of tracer into the ventricles to directly evaluate the proximal shunt limb. I hope your neurosurgeons are well trained in the handeling of radiopharmaceuticals. It seems to me the average neurosurgeon would not have received much training in this.
Radiation protection is an important issue.
Comment 006 Avoiding backflow into the ventricles lessens concern about pyrogens if Tc-99m DTPA is used. Assuming forward flow is seen, the fluid must be coming from somewhere, hence the proximal limb must be patent. The childs symptoms sounds like my daughters when her shunt wasn't performing properly. They performed the tests, and found it working. Except the pressure was below what the valve was rated for when it was orginally placed.