Short-term dexamethasone treatment for symptomatic slit ventricle syndrome.

OBJECTIVE

The objective was to report our positive experience of using dexamethasone to treat 13 patients with symptomatic slit ventricle syndrome (SVS).

METHODS

Thirteen SVS patients who received dexamethasone during acute episodes were studied. The etiology for hydrocephalus was prematurity and intraventricular hemorrhage in 9 patients and neonatal meningitis, chorioamnionitis, Dandy-Walker variant, and congenital in 1 case each. The shunt was inserted at 1.8+/-1.0 months of age and SVS was diagnosed at 4.9+/-3.2 years of age.

RESULTS

All patients reported relief and shorter duration of symptoms with dexamethasone. Surgical intervention was decided upon and carried out within 11+/-8 months of SVS diagnosis in 9 out of 13 patients. The other 4 are being monitored and continue to receive dexamethasone when needed.

CONCLUSIONS

Dexamethasone appears to be a useful treatment in acutely increased intracranial pressure caused by SVS. It can provide temporary relief during the decision-making process of whether and when to perform surgery.