Pediatric neurosurgery · scheduled consultation
Hydrocephalus & Shunts
Review for head-growth concerns, enlarged ventricles, an existing shunt, or questions about ongoing hydrocephalus care.
When consultation may help
Bring the concern into focus.
A scheduled visit brings symptoms, imaging, prior care, and family priorities into one organized conversation.
Ventricular enlargement on ultrasound, CT, or MRI
↗Shunt surveillance, transition, or continuity of care
↗Symptoms that raise concern for shunt function
↗Help us see the whole story
What to bring when it is available.
Do not delay urgent care to gather records. For a scheduled visit, these materials can make the conversation more useful.
Most recent and prior brain imaging
Shunt type, setting, and operative history
Hospital and prior neurosurgery records
A clear symptom timeline and the child’s usual baseline
How this concern is approached.
Hydrocephalus care depends on the child’s baseline, imaging over time, shunt history, growth, symptoms, and examination. The visit organizes that history so the current question can be answered without treating one scan or symptom in isolation.
Questions families ask
A little more clarity.
What does a shunt do?
Hydrocephalus involves a buildup of cerebrospinal fluid in the brain’s fluid spaces. A shunt redirects fluid to another part of the body. Ongoing follow-up is important because a shunt can become blocked, infected or need adjustment or revision.
What should we know about our child’s device?
Keep the shunt type, valve information and previous operation dates with your records. Before an MRI, tell the imaging team about the shunt and ask whether the particular valve requires checking afterward.
How should we plan between visits?
Ask for clear instructions about your child’s usual baseline, symptoms that need urgent assessment and whom to contact. Suspected shunt problems should not wait for an online appointment request to be answered.
How the visit moves
Careful. Clear. Together.
Listen
Review symptoms, timing, prior care, daily impact, and the family’s goals.
Review
Place MRI, CT, X-ray, ultrasound, reports, and records in context.
Explain
Translate the finding and reasonable options into plain language.
Plan
Define monitoring, testing, referral, follow-up, or surgery when appropriate.
The people behind the promise
Clinical focus. Thoughtful systems.
Two complementary roles support a clear, reliable experience for children and families.
Dr. Stacey E. Podkovik
Dr. Podkovik leads the neurosurgical evaluation with a pediatric focus, connecting the child’s story, symptoms, imaging, prior care, and family priorities into a clear next-step plan.
Dr. Laura Purdy, MD, MBA
Dr. Laura Purdy, MD, MBA, supports the practice through physician-led management, care coordination, and reliable systems. Dr. Stacey Podkovik leads neurosurgical evaluation and treatment.
When symptoms should not wait.
Repeated vomiting, marked sleepiness, seizure, a bulging fontanelle, severe headache, new weakness, or concern for shunt malfunction requires urgent emergency evaluation.
Sources behind this overview
Family education from established health organizations.
These links support the general overview and cannot replace an individualized pediatric evaluation.
Continue exploring
Every pathway, connected.
01Head Shape & Cranial ConditionsExplore02Hydrocephalus & ShuntsYou are here03Chiari & SyrinxExplore04Tethered Cord & Spina BifidaExplore05Brain & Spine TumorsExplore06Head Injuries & ConcussionExplore07Spasticity CareExplore08Second OpinionsExplore09Arachnoid CystsExplore
This page provides general educational information and does not replace a medical evaluation. Calling the office or using this site does not establish a physician-patient relationship. Iris is a scripted navigation helper and does not diagnose, triage, or provide medical advice.