'Slit-ventricle syndrome': etiology and treatment.

Between 1970 and 1986, 20 patients were treated for the 'Slit-ventricle syndrome'. Six patients had intermittent proximal shunt malfunction and 14 children had increased intracranial pressure with normal shunt function. All of the children in the second group had a relatively small calvarium. Treatment consisted of proximal shunt revision in the first group and a calvarial expansion procedure in the second. The authors discuss the differential diagnosis of the slit-ventricle syndrome and offer guidelines to appropriate treatment.