Computed tomography in the diagnosis of hydrocephalus in infancy

26 infants with hydrocephalus were subjected to shunt procedures between January 1976 and April 1978. In 10 infants, pneumoencephalography or ventriculography was used before the CAT scan became available. A preoperative CAT scan was done in 16 further children. The authors advocate that a CAT scan should be the primary investigation in infants suspected of having hydrocephalus and such a scan will almost always provide adequate information in relation to a shunt procedure. Only in complex malformations are further neuro-radiological investigations helpful. (orig.)