A ventriculostomy is used for which purpose?

A ventriculostomy is used for which purpose?

• A. To drain fluid from the brain's ventricles and monitor intracranial pressure
• B. To measure brain electrical activity
• C. To remove brain tissue
• D. To deliver chemotherapy

Answer: (A)

Ventriculostomy is used to drain cerebrospinal fluid from the brain’s ventricles and to monitor intracranial pressure. By placing a catheter into a ventricle, CSF can be drained to lower elevated ICP, which helps reduce the risk of secondary brain injury after trauma, hemorrhage, or hydrocephalus. The same setup includes an external transducer or gauge that provides continuous ICP measurements, giving real-time data to guide treatment. This dual function is what makes it the go-to tool for managing high ICP. It’s not used to measure brain electrical activity (that’s EEG), nor to remove brain tissue (that would require surgical resection), and it isn’t the standard route for delivering chemotherapy (which would involve a dedicated intraventricular access like an implanted reservoir, not a straightforward ventriculostomy).

Ventriculostomy is used to drain cerebrospinal fluid from the brain’s ventricles and to monitor intracranial pressure. By placing a catheter into a ventricle, CSF can be drained to lower elevated ICP, which helps reduce the risk of secondary brain injury after trauma, hemorrhage, or hydrocephalus. The same setup includes an external transducer or gauge that provides continuous ICP measurements, giving real-time data to guide treatment.

This dual function is what makes it the go-to tool for managing high ICP. It’s not used to measure brain electrical activity (that’s EEG), nor to remove brain tissue (that would require surgical resection), and it isn’t the standard route for delivering chemotherapy (which would involve a dedicated intraventricular access like an implanted reservoir, not a straightforward ventriculostomy).