Slit ventricles as a cause of isolated ventricles after shunting.

In a follow-up study of 164 hydrocephalic children without tumors treated with ventriculoperitoneal shunts, 46 (28.0%) developed slit ventricles, 5 (3.0%) developed isolated fourth ventricles, and 4 (2.4%) developed isolated unilateral hydrocephalus. All of the patients with isolated unilateral hydrocephalus and 3 with isolated fourth ventricles had associated slit ventricles, 2 of whom had enlarged ventricles as double-compartment hydrocephalus. Reopening of the foramen of Monro or the aqueduct was achieved in one of the former and two of the latter cases with re-expansion of the slit ventricles. It is suggested that in some cases, the slit ventricle could be a causative factor in post-shunt isolated ventricle.