SLit ventricle syndrome in children : clinical presentation and treatment

Symptomatic ventricular coaptation, or the slit ventricle syndrome, is frequently described and recognized as a clinical entity in the pediatric population. It is characterized by symptoms of shunt failure (i.e., ataxia, obtundation, nausea, vomiting, lethargy, irritability, and complaints of headac...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Acta neurochirurgica 1992-01, Vol.117 (1-2), p.7-14
Main Authors: BENZEL, E. C, REEVES, J. D, KESTERSON, L, HADDEN, T. A
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Biological and medical sciences
Cerebral Hemorrhage - diagnostic imaging
Cerebral Hemorrhage - surgery
Cerebrospinal Fluid Pressure - physiology
Cerebrospinal fluid. Spinal cord. Spinal roots. Spinal nerves
Child
Child, Preschool
Female
Follow-Up Studies
Humans
Hydrocephalus - diagnostic imaging
Hydrocephalus - surgery
Infant
Infant, Newborn
Infant, Premature, Diseases - diagnostic imaging
Infant, Premature, Diseases - surgery
Male
Medical sciences
Neurosurgery
Peritoneum
Postoperative Complications - diagnostic imaging
Postoperative Complications - surgery
Reoperation
Surgery (general aspects). Transplantations, organ and tissue grafts. Graft diseases
Tomography, X-Ray Computed
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Summary:Symptomatic ventricular coaptation, or the slit ventricle syndrome, is frequently described and recognized as a clinical entity in the pediatric population. It is characterized by symptoms of shunt failure (i.e., ataxia, obtundation, nausea, vomiting, lethargy, irritability, and complaints of headache) and the CT findings of ventricular coaptation (slit-like ventricles). This study of twenty-two children with this syndrome reflects the variety of possible clinical presentations, and the variety of available treatment modalities. Multiple therapeutic approaches were required in seven of the patients. This illustrates not only an evolving treatment regimen, but also that a single treatment modality is not universally effective. Six patients needed only occasional symptomatic support. Blockage and/or removal of the shunt system was the definitive therapy in six patients, pressure augmentation in nine patients, and subtemporal craniectomy in one. This article outlines the theoretical pathophysiology, and a scheme for the management of patients with this syndrome.
ISSN:0001-6268
0942-0940
DOI:10.1007/BF01400628