What is a shuntogram?
A Shuntogram is used to determine if and where there is a shunt malfunction.What this procedure involves, consists of placing a radioactive isotope in the shunt reservoir/valve, and measuring the speed it moves to the abdomen while being filmed either by a CT scan or radiography. By performing this procedure a valve malfunction, ventricular or distal catheter obstruction can be detected.
What the doctor does is to shave the hair around the valve and disinfects the area. Then a small needle is inserted in to the valve and a small amount of fluid is then withdrawn for testing. A dye is then injected into the valve so that it can be seen in xrays that are taken a timed intervals. These can then be examined to see if the shunt is clogged or anything.
Information sourced from The American Journal of Neuroradiology