Ommaya reservoir

Ommaya Reservoir

The Ommaya Reservoir is a medical device designed for the delivery of drugs directly into the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and for the repeated sampling of CSF. It was invented by the Pakistani neurosurgeon Ayub K. Ommaya in 1963.

Design and Function

The Ommaya Reservoir consists of a catheter connected to a reservoir. The catheter is inserted into a ventricle of the brain, and the reservoir is implanted under the scalp. The reservoir is made of a soft, biocompatible material such as silicone, allowing it to be easily palpated and accessed with a needle through the skin.

The primary function of the Ommaya Reservoir is to provide a method for the direct delivery of drugs into the CSF, bypassing the blood-brain barrier. This is particularly useful in the treatment of conditions such as leukemia and brain tumors, where systemic administration of drugs may not effectively reach the target area.

Procedure

The implantation of an Ommaya Reservoir is a surgical procedure performed under general anesthesia. The surgeon makes a small incision in the scalp, drills a hole in the skull, and inserts the catheter into a ventricle. The reservoir is then positioned under the scalp and connected to the catheter.

Risks and Complications

As with any surgical procedure, implantation of an Ommaya Reservoir carries risks, including infection, bleeding, and damage to surrounding brain tissue. Long-term complications may include blockage of the catheter, leakage of CSF, and mechanical failure of the reservoir.

See Also

• Intrathecal pump
• Chemotherapy
• Neurosurgery