G97.2: Intracranial hypotension following ventricular shunting

The brain and the spinal cord are surrounded by 3 meninges (linings). The outer meninx is the dura mater. A soft meninx is in direct contact with the dura mater on the inside of it. There is an additional soft meninx on the brain and spinal cord. The space between these two soft meninges is filled with cerebrospinal fluid. The cerebrospinal fluid cushions the brain and the spinal cord against impact. The cerebrospinal fluid also nourishes the meninges.

Various diseases may cause the pressure inside the skull to be too high. This can happen when tissue builds up inside the skull. The pressure can increase even if there is more blood or cerebrospinal fluid inside the skull. If the pressure remains too high, then you may need to create an artificial connection between the inside of the skull and the body. This connection is placed in the abdomen or in a blood vessel, for example. Cerebrospinal fluid is then able to drain through the connection. The pressure inside the skull can then be adjusted via a valve under the skin.

It may be that too much cerebrospinal fluid drains through the artificial connection and as a result reduces the pressure inside the skull too much. If the pressure inside the skull drops too much, symptoms such as headache and dizziness can occur. You may also feel nauseated and faint.