[Studies on the cerebrospinal fluid pressure changes in patients treated for hydrocephalus by the so-called ventricular filling test. Preliminary report].

The curves of cerebrospinal fluid pressure (CFP) in the lateral cerebral ventricle during the so called ventricular filling-up test are presented in 6 patients with high-pressure and medium-pressure hydrocephalus as compared with CFP curves obtained in 2 patients with low-pressure hydrocephalus. The method of filling-up test (infusion test) is described. In this method portions of normal saline 2 ml each are administered rapidly into a lateral ventricle every 30 seconds. The obtained results demonstrated a difference in the shape of the CFP curves in patients with low-pressure open hydrocephalus as compared with patients with closed hydrocephalus. This could help in qualifying patients with hydrocephalus for treatment with ventriculo-atrial shunt.