Professional
Technical
In the Industry Vocabulary Test
ventriculostomy
Surgical procedure to place a catheter into the brain's ventricular system for CSF drainage and ICP monitoring.
Full Definition
A ventriculostomy is a neurosurgical procedure involving the insertion of a catheter through a burr hole into the lateral ventricle of the brain. This procedure allows for cerebrospinal fluid drainage and continuous intracranial pressure monitoring. It is commonly performed in neurocritical care for patients with traumatic brain injury, subarachnoid hemorrhage, or other conditions causing elevated intracranial pressure. The procedure can be therapeutic (to relieve pressure) or diagnostic (to monitor pressure and obtain CSF samples).
Usage
Usage note: Often abbreviated as EVD (external ventricular drain) in clinical documentation.
In Context
- "The neurosurgeon performed an emergent ventriculostomy to address the patient's rising intracranial pressure." — surgical report
- "Ventriculostomy-associated infections remain a significant concern in the neurointensive care unit." — quality improvement document
Also known as
ventricular drain
intraventricular catheter
Don't confuse with
ventriculoperitoneal shunt
lumbar drain