Hydrocephalus and diving

[jeffro]

My fiance had surgery for hydrocephalus about 4 years ago. The doctors performed a "third ventriculostomy" on my wife-to-be and put a cool titanium plate in her head :11: she now has "no physical restrictions" and is in good health, aside from marrying me that is are there any complications associated with diving and this illness? she recently passed her owc and aside from having water in her ear there were no problems. max depth of owc was 29 feet. thanks

 

[DocVikingo]

The Dr Decompression forum is described as being for "...questions concerning the scientific aspects of decompression. This forum is to provide information of a scientific nature." Dr. Deco is a Ph.D. research scientist.

As your inquiry clearly is of a medical nature, I have taken the liberty of moving it to the Diving Medicine forum where it should get a proper response.

In fact, I will check back later to see what you have been told.

Best regards.

DocVikingo

 

[jeffro]

sorry bout posting it in the wrong forum. thank you.

 

[DocVikingo]

A third ventriculostomy is a surgically created channel between the third ventricle and an external space below it. This allows for the uptake of fluid that otherwise would be impeded.

Given a successful procedure 4 years ago that has been without complication in an individual who now is in good health, has no physical restrictions and has been medically cleared for full activity, scuba is not an unreasonable activity to consider.

Just to be on the safe side, an individual with such a history should contact their neurosurgeon to seek his or her opinion. Also, they can phone DAN at (919) 684-2948 (Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm EST) or submit questions by email to http://www.diversalertnetwork.org/contact/email.asp?RE=Medicine.

Please let the board know what your fiancee is told.

This is educational only and does not constitute or imply a doctor-patient relationship. It is not medical advice to you or any other individual, and should not be construed as such.
Best regards.

DocVikingo