The incidence and management of the slit ventricle syndrome

The incidence of slit ventricles of shunt treated hydrocephalic children was evaluated in a follow up study of 141 patients. Slit like ventricles on computer tomography was seen in 75 patients (53%). 52 patients (37%) suffered from clinical symptoms corresponding with overdrainage of cerebrospinal fluid. Those 52 patients with the "Slit Ventricle Syndrome" (SLVS) were treated by changing the valve to one with a higher opening pressure and/or adding an antisiphon device (ASD) to the shunt. 22 patients, initially treated by changing the opening pressure of the valve, needed the ASD later. Altogether 74 episodes of the SLVS were treated. The ASD proved reliable for the management of the SLVS. Normalization of ventricular size occurred in 54% of patients. whereas only in 15% treated without the ASD. Reduction of paroxysmal activity on EEG was seen in 70% of patients treated with the ASD, whereas only in 23% of patients treated without the ASD. Clinical relief of symptoms occurred in every patient, and ventricular catheter obstructions could be avoided, even if the ventricular size remained slit-like on CT.