ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) shunts are devices that transport CSF from an intracranial production site to an extracranial absorption site. A typical CSF shunt system consists of a proximal catheter, a one-way valve, and a distal catheter. The proximal catheter is inserted in a CSF production site, usually one of the lateral ventricles. The shunt valve controls the CSF flow and the distal catheter transports the CSF to the absorption site, usually the peritoneal cavity or cardiac atrium (Fig. 1). The role of the perfect shunt would be to allow one-way flow of CSF from the head to the absorption site, while always maintaining normal intracranial pressure.
