Ventriculoperitoneal Shunting with an On-off Valve for Patients with Leptomeningeal Metastases and Intracranial Hypertension

Background: We report our experience with using a ventriculoperitoneal shunt (VPS) with an on-off valve and in-line Ommaya reservoir for the treatment of hydrocephalus or intracranial hypertension in patients with leptomeningeal disease (LMD). Our goal was to determine whether control of intracranial pressure elevation combined with intrathecal (IT) chemotherapy would extend patient survival.

Methods: In this IRB-approved retrospective study, we reviewed 58 cases of adult patients with LMD from solid cancers who received a VPS with a reservoir and an on-off valve at M D Anderson Cancer Center from November 1996 through December 2021. Primary tumors were most often melanoma ( = 19) or breast carcinoma ( = 20). Hydrocephalus was diagnosed by clinical symptoms and findings on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and LMD by MRI or cerebrospinal fluid analysis. Differences in overall survival (OS) were assessed with standard statistical techniques.

Results: Patients who received a VPS and more than 3 IT chemotherapy sessions survived longer ( = 26; OS time from implantation 11.7 ± 3.6 months) than those who received an occludable shunt but no IT chemotherapy ( = 24; OS time from implantation 2.8 ± 0.7 months, < .018). Peritoneal seeding appeared after shunt insertion in only two patients (3%).

Conclusions: This is the largest series reported to date of patients with LMD who had had shunts with on-off valves placed to relieve symptoms of intracranial hypertension. Use of IT chemotherapy and control of hydrocephalus via such shunts was associated with improved survival.