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A Study Comparing Two Treatments for Infants With Hydrocephalus

Phase 2
Completed
Conditions
Hydrocephalus
Registration Number
NCT00652470
Lead Sponsor
The Hospital for Sick Children
Brief Summary

The purpose of this study is to study whether infants with triventricular hydrocephalus (TVH) have a better long-term outcome at 5 years when they are treated with a new procedure, endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV), than infants treated with the more traditional treatment, insertion of a cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) shunt.

Detailed Description

TVH is a relatively uncommon condition in infants, in which CSF accumulates in the brain's ventricles due to a blockage in outflow at the level of cerebral aqueduct. This can cause increased intracranial pressure, with adverse effect on brain development. The causes of this include congenital aqueductal stensois or acquired aqueductal stenosis from previous brain hemorrhage or infection.

TVH is currently treated through one of the following two approaches:

* Extra-cranial CSF diversion through ventricular shunts. Extra-cranial shunting has been the standard approach over the past few decades, since functional shunts were first developed and inserted successfully.

* Intra-cranial internal CSF diversion using endoscopic techniques. The principles of internal diversion were clear from the time neurosurgeons first understood the nature of hydrocephalus. However, internal diversion was never really practical or successful on a large scale until the more recent development of neuroendoscopy. There is currently a revived interest in diversionary hydrocephalus treatment through neuroendoscopic surgical techniques, with the primary focus on endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV).

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
182
Inclusion Criteria
  • Symptomatic TVH requiring treatment.
  • No previous treatment for TVH
  • Under 24 months of age at time of surgery
  • Full-term pregnancy (>36 weeks)
  • Mandatory pre-operative MRI that includes mid-sagittal T1 & T2 scans which show: Tri-ventricular pattern of hydrocephalus; proof of no flow through aqueduct; presence of CSF collection over the convexity and/or inter-hemispheric fissure is acceptable; configuration of third ventricle floor could vary; deformed tectal plate is acceptable; posterior fossa fluid collections may be included as long as: aqueduct is closed; vermis preserved (complete Dandy Walker Syndrome excluded); questionable flow in aqueduct acceptable as long as TVH exists
  • History or suggestion of intra-ventricular bleed (intra-uterine or post-natal) or intracranial infection qualifies (excluding intraventricular hemorrhage of prematurity).
  • Ability to participate in followup for at least 5 years
Exclusion Criteria
  • Open Spina Bifida
  • Complete Dandy Walker syndrome (vermian agenesis / dysgenesis)
  • Prematurity
  • Perinatal asphyxia
  • Severe dysmorphic anatomical features or known chromos (e.g. agenesis of corpus callosum, heterotopias, large cysts)
  • intracranial tumor

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Health Status Outcome as measured by the Health Utilities Index - 2At 5 years of age
Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Complications such as CNS infection, focal neurological deficit, significant hemorrhage, seizures requiring medicationDuration of the Study
DeathDuration of the Study
In-depth Evaluation of Neurodevelopment, Functioning and Intelligence, as mesured by the Weschler Intelligence Scale for Children or Weschler Preschool and Primary Scale of IntelligenceAt 5 years of Age
Surgical MorbidityDuration of the Study
Health status outcome using the Hydrocephalus Outcome QuestionnaireAt 5 years of Age
Neurodevelopment as measured by the Denver Developmental Screening TestUp to 3 years of Age
Incidence of failure of initial interventionDuration of the Study
Number of Subsequent Hydrocephalus-Related OperationsDuration of the Study
Need for repeat radiological scansDuration of the Study
Ventricular size and the existence of flow void (ETV group)assessed through radiological evaluation3 years of age
Hospitalization Time5 years post-operation

Trial Locations

Locations (22)

Children's Medical Center of Dallas

🇺🇸

Dallas, Texas, United States

Nacional de Pediatria

🇦🇷

Buenos Aires, Argentina

Biocor Instituto

🇧🇷

Nova Lima, Brazil

UNIFESP

🇧🇷

Sao Paulo, Brazil

The Hospital for Sick Children

🇨🇦

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

University Hospital Gießen and Marburg

🇩🇪

Giessen, Germany

University of Debrecen

🇭🇺

Debrecen, Hungary

Sanjay Gandhi Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences

🇮🇳

Lucknow, India

All India Institute of Medical Sciences

🇮🇳

New Delhi, India

Dana Children's Hospital, Tel Aviv Medical Center

🇮🇱

Tel Aviv, Israel

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Children's Medical Center of Dallas
🇺🇸Dallas, Texas, United States

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