Ventricular tap

What it is

A ventricular tap is the removal of cerebrospinal fluid from a ventricle using a needle, to relieve pressure or obtain a fluid sample. In infants, it can sometimes be done through the open soft spot or through an implanted reservoir.

Understanding Ventricular tap

In babies with hydrocephalus — particularly premature infants with post-hemorrhagic hydrocephalus — periodic ventricular taps (often through a reservoir) can be used to remove CSF, temporarily controlling pressure and ventricle size until the baby grows and a permanent solution (such as a shunt or ETV) is appropriate. A tap can also obtain CSF for testing (for example, to check for infection). The ventricular tap is a temporary, temporizing measure rather than a long-term treatment, and repeated taps are managed carefully. It is one of the tools used in the staged management of hydrocephalus in small infants. Understanding it helps families see how pressure can be relieved in the short term.

Why it matters

Understanding the ventricular tap helps families see how CSF can be removed to temporarily relieve pressure or obtain a sample in an infant, as a temporizing measure until a permanent treatment is appropriate.