Temporizing measures

What it is

Temporizing measures are temporary treatments used to control hydrocephalus until a permanent solution (such as a shunt or ETV) becomes appropriate. They are used especially in small or premature infants who are not yet ready for a permanent treatment.

Understanding Temporizing measures

In premature or very small babies with post-hemorrhagic hydrocephalus, a permanent shunt may not be advisable right away — for example, because the baby is too small or the CSF still contains blood or high protein. Temporizing measures bridge this gap by controlling pressure and ventricle size in the meantime. Examples include a ventricular reservoir (tapped periodically), a ventriculosubgaleal shunt (draining under the scalp), and a temporary external ventricular drain. These buy time until the baby grows and the situation stabilizes enough for a permanent solution. Temporizing measures reflect a staged, individualized approach to managing hydrocephalus in the smallest patients, balancing the need to control pressure against the timing of permanent treatment.

Why it matters

Understanding temporizing measures helps families see how hydrocephalus can be safely controlled in a small or premature baby in the short term, bridging the time until a permanent treatment is appropriate.