Table 1 Data extraction proforma

Population

Age range

Diagnostic modality for hydrocephalus/CSF hypertension

Diagnostic modality for underlying aetiology

CD4⁺ cell count range (for each underlying aetiology)

Country population derived from

Severity of disease at baseline (using GCS, palur grade, MRC scale, GOS or mRS) for each underlying aetiology

Communicating or non-communicating hydrocephalus

Intervention

Primary VPS or following EVD

Catheter type (plain silicon, antibiotic impregnated, silver impregnated)

Comparison intervention

Description of intervention

Frequency of intervention

Outcome (for each underlying aetiology and intervention)

Survival at 1, 6 and 12 months

Causes of death at 1, 6 and 12 months

Rate of shunt failure at 1, 6 and 12 months

Rates of complication at 1, 6 and 12 months

Validated outcome measure at 1, 6 and 12 months