The treatment for normal pressure hydrocephalus is insertion of a shunt. A shunt is a thin, flexible plastic tube that drains cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from the CSF containing cavities of the brain (ventricles) into the abdominal or chest wall where the CSF is easily absorbed.
The most recent advancement in shunt technology includes valves that have the ability to drain CSF under different pressure settings. The valve pressures can be changed easily via a hand held magnetic controlling device that is placed just over the scalp. Once in place this method does not require further surgery. The surgeon can adjust the valve pressures to help control instances where there is over drainage or under drainage of CSF.