Case Study On Dandy Walker

Syndrome
Done by : Sajeda Moh’d
 Objective

By the end of this presentation you will be able to:-

• Discuss the Child’s History, family history, and chief complain.

• Discuss the effect of disease on the growth and development of child.

• Define dandy walker syndrome

• Indentify the incidence of dandy walker syndrome.

• Identify the Etiologies and Predisposing Factors.

 Objectives

By the end of this presentation you will be able to:-

• Discuss the Pathophysiology of dandy walker syndrome.

• Identify the Clinical Manifestations

• Identify the Diagnostic Tests

• List the possible Complications of dandy walker syndrome.

• Discuss the Medical, Surgical, and nursing Management.

• Discuss a nursing care plan.

• Identify Health Education

 History of the Child S.Y

B/O Y
5years old, Bahraini female.
admitted on 6/1/2011

Chief complain:-
history of low grad fever, vomit for 2 weeks and
complaining of left side abdominal pain.
 Background

S.Y 5 years old, known case of dandy walker syndrome with

ventriculoperitoneal shunt (VPS), admitted with abdominal pain,

vomits and fever since 2 weeks, her present weigh is 14.5. Her

vomits yellowish in color, complain of Flank pain which is at left

kidney side, and has history of painful urination which known as

dysuria.
 Family history

 No family history of dandy walker syndrome or any brain

problems.

• Father family: has history of Hemophilia.

• Mother is a SCT.

• Child S.Y sisters have no disease.

 growth and development
• the diseases has no effect on the growth and
development of child S.Y, she live normally as her
sisters without any limitation or retardation.
 Definition of dandy walker syndrome

• In children with Dandy-Walker Syndrome, the cerebellum

which is the organ that regulates movements and
coordination, either partially or completely lacks the
cerebellar vermis, which is the segment that connects the
two hemispheres, or sides, of the cerebellum
 Incidence of Dandy walker syndrome

It is rare disorder that occurs in one for every 25,000 live births,
mostly in females.

In Bahrain, the statistics didn’t specify the dandy walker syndrome

and it shows congenital malformations, deformations and
chromosomal abnormalities in general, which increase between
the 1-9 ages to rich 245 cases in 2008.
 Etiology and pre-disposing factors

• Unknown cause.

• family (generic) occurrence.

• gestational exposure specifically at first trimester to

infection or taking Warfarin, and alcohol.

 For S.Y the cause of her disease is unknown.

 Pathophysiology

during embryogenesis

cerebellar hemispheres and to the fourth ventricle changes

(unknown cause or nature)

cerebellar defect occur

results in blockage or atresia of the foramina of Magendie and

Luschka

dilatation of the fourth ventricle & cysts formation which present

in the back of the brain
 Clinical manifestations
• Vomiting.

• Convulsions.

• Irritability.

• Lack of coordination in movements.

• Head circumference enlarged and a bulge in the back of the cranium is

present.

• Hydrocephalus.

 the mean clinical manifestations for S.Y are the head circumference
enlarged and present of a bulge in the back of the cranium, and
hydrocephalus.
 Diagnostic tests

 Full blood count:- High WBC, indicates an inflammation and

infection. Low Red blood cells, hemoglobin, hematocrit and high red
cell size distribution indicate iron deficiency anemia and dehydration.

 Manual differential: High Polymorphs, indicates infection and

inflammation.

 Reticulocytes: High, in response to blood loss or treatment of iron

deficiency anemia.

 Electrolytes: Normal.
 Cont..
 Blood c-reactive protein: High, indicates an infection or
inflammation after surgery.

 Blood cross match: O+

 Fasting blood sugar: Normal.

 U+E+CR: Normal

 Liver function test: Normal.

 CT brain: present of VP shunt at same location, and bilateral basal

ganglia calcification.

 Renal Ultrasound test: present of cyst around the tip of up shunt in

the left upper abdominal quadrant.
 Complications

• The possible complications of dandy walker syndrome are:

• Raised intracranial pressure.

• Papilledema.

VPS hunt was applied to the S.Y, which is after birth, to

prevent the complication, farther enlargement of head, and
drain the CSF.
 Medical Management

1. IV.F 1250 ml ½ NS with Dextrose 5% / 24 hrs.

2. Keep NPO.

3. Maintain I/O Chart.

4. Medications: Rocephin, Gentamicin, Flagyl, Chloral hydrate,

Perfalgan, Panadol, Phenobarbitone, and Valium
 Surgical Management

o The doctors decided to apply the ventriculoperitoneal shunt (VPS)

to child S.Y after confirming the diagnosis with dandy walker
syndrome.

o Ventriculoperitoneal shunting is surgery to relieve increased pressure

inside the skull due to excess cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) on the brain.

 Post operative complications

1. Infection.

2. VP shunt malfunction.

3. Increase intracranial pressure.

VP shunt placement
 Nursing Management

Observe for sings of increase intracranial pressure, and if it happens

report the doctor immediately.

Administer prescribed medications to improve child condition.

Observe signs of infection and check vital signs Q4 hours.

Support the family by providing total information about their child.

.
 Nursing care plan:-

• Patient problem:-
Post Ventriculoperitoneal shunt complication which is infection.

• Nursing Diagnosis:-
Infection R/T ventriculoperitoneal shunt placement
• Immediate goal:-
At the end of the shift, the child will not manifest signs and symptoms

of infection such as an elevation in body temperature, and redness.

Nursing intervention:
1. Monitor vital signs every 4 hours.

2. Maintain a Proper wound care & hygiene..

3. Make sure the dressing is clean & dry.

4. Advice the parent to give the child juices high in vitamins like
orange and lemon as she tolerate.

5. Give antibiotic such as IV Rocephin according to the Dr’s order

6. Report to Dr immediately if fever persists and wound has any signs

of infection such as redness, swelling, discharges.
 Health Education

• Observe for abdominal distention.

• Provide a balance vitamins rich diet to the child.

• The signs and symptoms of shunt failure are persistent headache,

emesis, , change in the neurologic exam, and visual changes and if it
occur inform the doctor immediately.
• Instruct the child to avoid contact sports that may cause injury to the

shunt valve or head trauma. Instead, parents are advised to encourage

participation in low impact sports such as tennis or swimming.

• Observe signs and symptoms of bleeding and infection and if it

appear report immediately.