When you've been diagnosed with Intracranial Hypertension (IH) the treatment options you encounter will be slightly varied depending on your doctor and the severity of your condition. Some patients may initially receive serial Lumbar Punctures (LP's) to remove the excess Cerebral Spinal Fluid (CSF). In addition,  you will likely be placed on medication as well. The most common medications include Diamox, Lasix, and Topamax. If you do not respond to these medications, and continue to have problems; other treatment options will be discussed. These are Optic Nerve Sheath Fenestration (O.N.S.F), and shunts. There are a few different kinds of shunting options available. Ventriculoperitoneal Shunt (VP) A flap is cut in the scalp and a small hole is drilled in the skull. A small catheter is passed into a ventricle of the brain. A pump (valve which controls flow of fluid) is attached to the catheter to keep the fluid away from the brain. Another catheter is attached to the pump and tunneled under the skin, behind the ear, down the neck and chest and into the peritoneal cavity (abdominal cavity). Ventriculoatrial Shunt (VA) Surgically created communication between the ventricular system of the brain and the right atrium of the heart for relief of raised intracranial pressure (CSF drains to the right atrium of the heart). Lumboperitoneal Shunt (LP) One catheter is placed in the low back (lumbar) area of the spine while the other end rests in the peritoneal cavity. As with VP shunts, the shunted CSF is then absorbed into the bloodstream. Cisternal Shunts Cisternal shunts are placed in the spinal fluid space in the base of the neck-----and then they drain either in the abdomen or the heart. Research valves  for shunts, if you are considering a shunt placement. So what is a shunt? A shunt is a device that is inserted in the body to  move the spinal fluid from one place to  another, where it can be re-absorbed. Shunts were originally developed for those with hydrocephalus, which shares some similarities with us. You can Click Here for more information on Hydrocephalus. A valve may be attached to the shunt tubing. It controls the direction the cerebrospinal fluid flows and helps to regulate the amount of cerebrospinal fluid in the ventricles. The valve prevents the ventricles from over-draining, which is called over-shunting. With LP shunts the tubing may be slit, which provides it's own built-in valve. This can lead to problems of over-draining in LP shunts, however. There is not a regulatory/adjustable device to control the CSF flow. The patient then may experience low-pressure headaches and additional symptoms. Because the shunt creates a "suction" action, this may also lead to herniation of the tonsils of the brain over time (Chiari Malformation).  In some cases, revision of the shunt may be necessary. This can be caused by kinked tubing. Some shunts can be adjusted non-invasively. As with any procedure, there are pros and cons. A patient may experience eradication of all IH symptoms, and others may require additional intervention. You must research this decision in a careful and informed manner, best for you. Please remember while reading through this site, the message boards, and the rest of the Internet; a lot of what you see will be the people who have had the most difficult of times. Those who have had the most success seldom have the need for support groups.   Below are a few common terms you will come across frequently when reading about shunts.....                                                                                Catheter- the tubing that transports and diverts the CSF from the ventricles to either the abdominal cavity or right atrium. Valve- regulates the pressure or flow of CSF from the ventricles. Reservoir- a flexible flushing chamber. The reservoir may be housed within the shunt system or added as a component along with the shunt system. The reservoir serves several important functions. It permits the doctor to remove samples of CSF for testing, using a needle and syringe. The doctor also may inject fluid into the shunt system to test for flow; to be sure the system is functioning. Programmable and Fixed Valves- Using a programmable valve can significantly decrease the number of shunt related surgeries you may need. If a valve setting needs to be changed or reset with a programmable valve, it is done so non-invasively. A device is simply placed over the valve, and then verified on x-ray. If the pressure setting of a fixed pressure valve proves to be a mismatch after surgery causing under-drainage or over-drainage complications, the patient must undergo a complete or partial shunt revision (additional surgery). This is a limitation of all fixed pressure valves.