Ventriculopleural shunting in the management of hydrocephalus.

6 cases of ventriculopleural shunting for control of hydrocephalus are presented. In the other child and adult, drainage of cerebrospinal fluid into the pleural cavity seems to be well tolerated in exceptional circumstances where other shunt procedures, including intracranial shunts, are contraindicated. In the infant and young child, accumulation of fluid in the pleural space is enchanced by a poorly understood immune-related mechanism and may lead to significant pulmonary dysfunction. On the basis of our experience, this procedure appears contraindicated in this age-group.