RE: what are LP and VP shunts?

[Guest guest]

A LP, or lumbar-peritoneal shunt, begins in the spinal canal and ends in

the stomach cavity (peritonium). A VP shunt, or ventricular-peritoneal

shunt, begins the a ventrical in the side of the head and ends in the

peritoneum cavity.

My understanding, from experience, is that a chiari patient should

NOT have a LP shunt. I had six LP shunts before my correct chiari

diagnosis was made. As soon as they found the chiari, they immediately

scheduled surgery to remove the shunts (within days). A LP shunt can

cause a pressure gradient within the spinal canal and actually cause a

chiari or make an existing one worse.

I hope this helps clear things up for you. Feel free to write if

you have any more questions.

Cyndy-Chattanooga, TN

ACM 1-10-12mm

Decompressed 7/20/00, CINN

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