Hydrocephalus and other miscellaneous conditions/Shunt issues

This condition is treated in the Neurosurgery clinic.

Pre-referral work-up

History

All referrals should comply to referral standards and include in particular:

• History of condition
• Current symptomology

Tests

• CT scan
• Paediatric patients - MRI may be preferred

Interim/GP management

To refer a patient with this condition, please see the Neurosurgery clinic page for the full referral process and templates.

A blocked shunt is an urgent condition and should be discussed with the Neurosurgical registrar via switch on 03 6166 8308.

For more information please see the HealthPathways Tasmania website.

Clinic appointments

🚩 Red location flags are clinical indicators of possible serious underlying conditions requiring further medical intervention. They may or may not indicate an emergency.

Emergency

🚩 Blocked VP shunt

🚩 Infected VP shunt

If you, or someone else, are experiencing a serious and life-threatening injury or illness call triple zero (000) immediately or go to the nearest Emergency Department.

Learn more about when to access emergency care and non-emergency care options if the injury or illness is not serious or life-threatening.

Urgent (Category 1)

🚩 Increasing symptoms decrease Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS)

Urgent cases must be discussed with the Neurosurgery Registrar on call to obtain appropriate prioritisation and a referral faxed to (03) 6173 0491

We will endeavour to see these patients within 30 days, or sooner if clinically indicated.

Semi-urgent (Category 2)

Assessment of Benign Intracranial Hypertension (BIH), Normal pressure Hydrocephalus (NPH)

Routine (Category 3)

Follow up of well patient is undertaken by GP

Next available appointment. We will endeavour to see these patients within 365 days.

Availability

North

All referrals and queries are to be directed to:

Launceston General Hospital
Phone: 03 6166 0000
Fax: 03 6234 9941

North West

All referrals and queries are to be directed to:

North West Regional Hospital
Phone: 03 6166 0000
Fax: 03 6234 9941

South

All referrals and queries are to be directed to:

Liverpool Clinics (Level 7)
Phone: 03 6166 0000
Fax: 03 6234 9941