The Ventricular Catheter Placement Study: Assessment of Efficacy and Safety of an Ultrasound Guided Shunt Insertion Technique

Inclusion Criteria: * Patients must have clinical and radiographic evidence of hydrocephalus as determined by a pediatric neurosurgeon and require a ventriculoperitoneal shunt (atrial, pleural, gallbladder and other shunt systems are excluded) * Patients can have no prior history of shunt insertion for hydrocephalus. A history of an external ventricular drain, subgaleal reservoir-catheter, or subgaleal shunt is permissible * Patients must be less than 18 years of age at the time of shunt insertion Exclusion Criteria: * Active CSF or abdominal infection * Spread of tumor in the subarachnoid space documented on enhanced imaging (CT or MRI) of the head or spine * CSF leak without hydrocephalus * Pseudotumor cerebri * Dandy-Walker malformation or arachnoid cyst as a cause of hydrocephalus * Loculations within the ventricular system * Hydranencephaly, alobar holoprosencephaly or any other congenital anomaly of the brain that severely distorts the ventricular anatomy such that ventricular catheter location cannot be determined * Other systemic disorders that would preclude the insertion/revision of a ventricular shunt * Other difficulties that would preclude follow-up at one year (e.g. terminal illness with life expectancy less than 1 year)