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  • Articles
  • Shunt infection: How it develops and how it can be prevented
    • Shunt therapy is the most common treatment for hydrocephalus, but carries the risk of serious complications such as shunt infections. Find out more about symptoms, causes, treatment options and preventive approaches such as antibiotic-impregnated catheters.
  • LP shunt vs. VP shunt
    • The choice between LP and VP shunt is essential for the successful treatment of hydrocephalus. This article provides a detailed comparison, looking at the indications, benefits and potential risks of both types of implantation - informed insights for better treatment decisions.
  • The Innovative Leap to Telemetric Pressure Sensors
    • Telemetric pressure sensors are setting new standards in the hydrocephalus shunt therapy. The article analyzes the technical limitations of conventional ICP sensors and presents trend-setting innovations in the field of measurement with telemetric pressure sensors - for more precise and efficient treatments.
  • The measurement of intracranial pressure (ICP)
    • The measurement and interpretation of intracranial pressure (ICP) is a very helpful aid in the diagnosis and treatment of many brain diseases. The article explains the technical requirements for ICP measurements, the interpretation of ICP values in intracranial pressure measurements and their significance for effective treatment planning.
  • Over- and underdrainage - the most common “side effects” of shunt systems
    • Shunt systems in hydrocephalus therapy have a long history, but over- and underdrainage are still common complications with their potential consequences, such as slit ventricle syndrome. The article looks at the causes, consequences and therapeutic approaches of both problems and discusses whether gravitational technology offers a possible remedy.
  • Foundations of fluid mechanics, or of beakers, bottles and people
    • The article introduces fluid mechanics and explains how the cerebrospinal fluid works in the human brain. It explains the hydrodynamics in the shunt system and shows why the circulation and pressure of the cerebrospinal fluid are important factors for optimizing shunt therapies.

"The stories were suddenly there..."

The stories “Karl's Guard” and “Merle's Guard” were conceived and written by our colleague Michaela Funk. Michaela is head of People & Culture at MIETHKE and the mother of three children. She has been with MIETHKE since 2006 and has had countless conversations with patients, parents, relatives, neurosurgeons and experts. She is always close by and is still deeply moved by the experiences of all hydrocephalus patients.

“The stories about Merle, Karl and Anton were suddenly there and just had to be written down. I'm not an author - so I showed the stories to others and the whole team contributed ideas and details. In the end, it's no longer just “my” story. It's OUR story,” says Michaela when asked about its origins. “Oh well ... and I just love writing!” she adds with a laugh. 

And the idea behind the books? Merle, Karl and Anton are intended to make it particularly for children easier to better understand hydrocephalus and the processes around it, to overcome their fears, to be able to talk about it and to encourage them to ask questions. Hydrocephalus is still a relatively unknown disease and in a way invisible to “the world out there”. For those affected, however, it is omnipresent, individual and often has a major impact on their lives. Merle, Karl and Anton bring together many of the people, questions and insights that Michaela has encountered during her years at MIETHKE.