Feasibility and diagnostic potential of portable optical coherence tomography in children with hydrocephalus shunt malfunction
Brief plain language background
Hydrocephalus is a build-up of excess fluid in the brain, affecting around 1 in 1000 children globally. The most common treatment is an operation to insert a 'shunt' tube, diverting fluid from the brain to the abdomen. Half of shunts malfunction within the first year, which can damage the brain and vision. Detecting shunt malfunction involves admitting children to hospital for invasive monitoring and carries risks. Three-dimensional eye scanning may represent a child-friendly alternative option.
What problem/knowledge gap does it help address
Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is a revolutionary three-dimensional eye scanning technique, allowing us to examine the optic nerve in amazingly minute detail within seconds. OCT can pick up the signs of raised brain pressure. Portable OCT is child-friendly and can even be used in babies. In this study, we propose to test out portable OCT to recognise hydrocephalus shunt malfunction in children, which could help protect vision and the brain. This could also help protect children from additional hospital admissions and risky operations to measure their brain pressure and could save the NHS money to invest elsewhere.
Aim of the project
To test whether portable OCT works in children with hydrocephalus shunts, including whether the children/parents agree and whether the OCT scanning works. We will also check whether the portable OCT can recognise abnormal brain pressure and monitor improvement following operations.
Potential impact on people with sight loss
It is very important to first check whether portable OCT is successful in children with hydrocephalus, in this proposed study which will take 12 months. If successful, we can use this early data to apply for more research funding, to conduct a larger study to explore how to use OCT to reliably recognise shunt malfunction in a larger group of children. Our 5-year aim is to collect enough data to create formal guidelines on how to use OCT to help children with hydrocephalus, for healthcare professionals across the UK and internationally.