ShuntCheck Versus Radionuclide in Evaluating Shunt Function in Symptomatic NPH Patients

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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The purpose of this study is to compare the accuracy of ShuntCheck (SC) and ShuntCheck plus Micro-Pumper (SC+MP) to radionuclide shunt patency testing (SPS) in evaluating shunt function in patients with adult hydrocephalus (AH) implanted with ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunts when shunt obstruction is suspected and a diagnostic procedure such as radionuclide shunt patency testing (SPS) is required.

Detailed Description
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The primary objective is to demonstrate that the accuracy of SC and SC+MP for determining whether a VP shunt is patent or obstructed is statistically no different than the accuracy of the accepted standard test, radionuclide shunt patency study, when performed simultaneously. A secondary objective is to determine SC and SC+MP results in the presence of possible partial obstruction, which defined as subjects with radionuclide clearance measured by T1/2 of 8 to 10 minutes. A secondary objective is to compare ShuntCheck flow rate results to simultaneous radionuclide clearance as measured by T1/2. A secondary objective is to demonstrate that ShuntCheck flow rate results are statistically equivalent to simultaneous radionuclide clearance measured by T1/2

Official Title
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A Double- Blinded Comparison of the Accuracy of ShuntCheck, a Non-Invasive Device, to Radionuclide Shunt Patency Test in Evaluating Shunt Function in Patients With Adult Hydrocephalus With Possible Shunt Obstruction

Conditions
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Hydrocephalus

Intervention / Treatment
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* Device: ShuntCheck test


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Adult men or women > 35 years of age; Capable of providing valid signed informed consent, or has a legal guardian, health care agent, or surrogate decision maker (according to local statutes, and collectively referred to as surrogates in this protocol) capable of providing valid, signed informed consent; Possess a shunt placed for AH; A radionuclide shunt patency study has been ordered because of suspected shunt obstruction Subject is willing and able to return to the treating physician for evaluation of the outcome of the shunt patency study Exclusion Criteria: Presence of multiple shunts, or presence of more than one distal shunt catheter (regardless of function) crossing the clavicle ipsilateral to the shunt with suspected obstruction; ShuntCheck test would interfere with standard patient care, or emergency shunt surgery that cannot be delayed is indicated; Presence of an interfering open wound or edema over any portion of the VP shunt; Subject is unwilling or unable to return to the treating physician for the SPS and ShuntCheck testing.

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 35 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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No

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Diagnostic
Intervention Model: Single Group Assignment
Masking: Triple


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Active Comparator: Radionuclide SPS<br>Radionuclide Shunt Patency Study | Device: ShuntCheck test<br>* Non-invasive, thermal dilution test for CSF shunt flow compared to radionuclide shunt patency testing<br>* Other names: ShuntCheck;|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Sensitivity and specificity of ShuntCheck vs SPS | The primary efficacy objective is the sensitivity and specificity of the ShuntCheck test. The performance of ShuntCheck test will be compared to the radionuclide scanning done on the day of ShuntCheck administration. Primary efficacy of the SC and SC+MP test will be determined by comparing SC and SC+MP performance to results of radionuclide scanning according to a standard 2 x 2 table, with a Positive test result defined as evidence of shunt obstruction. | Day 1 | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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NPH, Hydrocephalus, CSF shunts, Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus, ShuntCheck, Shunt Malfunction, Suspected shunt malfunction in adult hydrocephalus patients