ABSTRACT
This chapter provides information for performing shunt tap. It begins with a case scenario of a 23-year-old woman with a history of hydrocephalus treated with a right ventriculoperitoneal shunt who is presented with persistent headache and vomiting. A CT scan of her head reveals ventricular dilation. The chapter then includes details on indications, contraindications, and information about supplies, positioning and technique. Pearls and pitfalls are also incorporated, providing additional insights and practical advice not always available in other textbooks or articles. Numerous shunt types exist, and if you are not confident of the location of the shunt bubble, do not insert the needle into the scalp above the shunt apparatus.
