• Vita Stagno, Esperanza Arcas Navarrete, Giuseppe Mirone, and Felice Esposito.
• Division of Neurosurgery, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, Naples, Italy. vitastagno@yahoo.it
• World Neurosurg. 2013 Feb 1;79(2 Suppl):S23.e17-20.

ObjectiveThe objective of this study is to review the management of hydrocephalus and, in particular, how different economic and social conditions affect its treatment around the world.MethodsThe main techniques for the surgical treatment and the management of hydrocephalus have been retraced through a brief historical overview up to the present day.ResultsDuring the last century, continuous technological progress has favored the diffusion of expensive and sophisticated shunt systems. On the other hand, the advent of minimally invasive endoscopic techniques, such as endoscopic third ventriculostomy, seems to represent a valid route for attempting a natural cerebrospinal fluid diversion, thus avoiding complications related to shunt failure.ConclusionsThe management of hydrocephalus around the world is still widely debated. However, definition of proper indications and adequate training in neuroendoscopic techniques seem to represent the preeminent trend for new generations of neurosurgeons.Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

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